Washington’s National Championship Odds Crater to +10000 after Embarrassing Home Loss to Cal
- The Washington Huskies were stunned 20-19 at home by Cal in Week 2
- Washington’s National Championship odds fell from +3300 to +10000
- Washington (1-1) dropped from no. 14 to no. 23 in the AP Top 25 poll
It’s been a tough go of late for the state of Washington. First, Governor Jay Inslee dropped out of the 2020 Democratic Presidential race. Now, the Washington Huskies may have bungled any hope they had of qualifying for the College Football Playoff and winning the National Championship.
Saturday’s stunning 20-19 upset at the hands of the Cal Golden Bears crushed the 1-1 Huskies in the National Championship odds.
A sportsbook that had Washington at +3300 as recently as August 27th, dropped the Huskies all the way to +10000.
CFP National Championship Odds: Pac-12 Teams
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Utah | +2500 |
| Oregon | +4000 |
| USC | +5000 |
| Washington State | +8000 |
| Washington | +10000 |
| Colorado | +15000 |
| Arizona State | 25000 |
| California | +25000 |
| Stanford | +25000 |
*Odds taken on 09/10/19.
Another sports book is a little more optimistic about UW’s chances to rebound, listing the Huskies at odds of +6600 to win the 2020 national title.
Not a Bear Market for Washington
California engineered a 72-yard drive over the final two minutes of regulation to set up the winning field goal. The loss halted Washington’s winning streak at Husky Stadium at 15 games.
You can go to sleep happy now, Cal fans ??
The Golden Bears defeat #14 Washington 20-19 with this game-winning field goal. pic.twitter.com/asgHTjNPnu
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 8, 2019
It’s the second straight season that Cal has helped put a dagger into Washington’s national title hopes. Last season, the Golden Bears edged the #15 Huskies 12-10 thanks to a pick six by inside linebacker Evan Weaver.
This season’s loss toppled the Huskies from #14 to #23 in the AP Top 25 poll. Washington was a 13.5-point favorite over Cal.
Due to a two-hour, 39-minute lightning delay, it took five hours and 43 minutes to complete the game.
Self-Inflicted Wounds
Cal has one of the best secondaries in the NCAA. Last season, they led the conference in pass defense (175.1 yards per game), pass efficiency defense (107.25) and interceptions (21).
Massive win for Justin Wilcox and #Cal, which takes down Washington for the second straight year. Wilcox continuing to get it done in Berkeley. https://t.co/5Xr1KvPKdt
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) September 8, 2019
Huskies quarterback Jason Eason was limited to 162 yards passing, with no touchdowns and one interception. But he was also hindered by open receivers who dropped a half-dozen passes.
Penalties also played a role in the setback. On a fourth-and-one from the Cal two-yard line, Huskies tight end Corey Luciano committed a false start, forcing Washington to settle for a field goal.
Red Zone Red Alert
It wasn’t like the Huskies didn’t move the ball. Washington entered Cal territory on eight of its 11 offensive possessions.
The Huskies kicked three field goals that were inside the 20-yard line. Two of those field goals were booted from inside the 10.
Points Per Game through Week 2 with National Rank
5. WSU, 58.5
11. Arizona, 51.5
14. Oregon, 49.0
23. Colorado, 43.0
38. USC, 38.0
57. Washington, 33.0
61. Utah, 32.5
63. OSU, 32.0
85. ASU, 24.5
92. Cal, 23.5
107. Stanford, 18.5
119. UCLA, 14.0— SportsPac12 (@SportsPac12) September 9, 2019
Overall, Washington was one-for-four in red zone conversions, which should sound familiar. In 2018, the Huskies converted just 56.45 percent of red zone excursions into touchdowns. That ranked 105th in the NCAA and ninth overall in the Pac-12.
Defensive Shortcomings
One of the biggest concerns for the Huskies entering the 2019 season was the need to completely restructure their defense. Just two of 11 starters were returning from the 2018 squad.
Saturday, this still looked to be a work in progress.
PEYTON HENRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!#PurpleReign
? @FS1 pic.twitter.com/FFe5IBd30y
— Washington Football (@UW_Football) September 8, 2019
When Peyton Henry booted a 49-yard field goal, Washington led 19-17 with 2:05 left in the fourth quarter. The defense needed a stop but couldn’t stop the bleeding. Cal rushed for 6.7 yards per carry in the second half.
The Huskies missed tackles and assignments. They played sloppily, lacking in confidence and discipline.
To put it bluntly, they looked like what they are – an inexperienced bunch.
Cal Exposed The Real Huskies
Washington is a decent team. The Huskies will probably win 7-8 games. But this is not a national title contender.
There’s a tough slate of Pac-12 games ahead – USC, Stanford, Oregon, Utah and arch-rival Washington State.
The Huskies won’t be running that table.
Washington won’t be winning a National Championship.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
