Can UW pull off the mother of all upsets at home? Or will it be Miami 1989?
I think back to 1992. Coming off of a 5-6 season but only 2-6 in the Big Ten and in their 2nd year with a highly-touted new coach, UW faced #2 Washington on the road in the opener. Lost, but it was a respectfully close 27-10 considering the other UW was #2 and it was on the road. Then, three weeks later, they knock off #12 Ohio State at home in the Big Ten opener. UW went on to finish 5-6 again, but three of their conference losses were by 2 points or less and a 4th by 7 points, which gave them the confidence to propel them to the magical 1993 season.
I think it's somewhere between that Washington and Ohio State game. They lose, but closer than most people think.