Washington Huskies 2016 schedule could pave path to Pac-12 North crown

The Washington Huskies have to feel good about where they stand in 2016.  There has been sleeper buzz about the Washington Huskies being potential Pac-12 title contenders in 2016, and the schedule provides the path. Washington will only leave the state four times this season in mostly coin flip contests and has the defense that could prove ultra vital in big games against big opponents.

Washington starts the season with an ultra winnable slate: Rutgers, Idaho and Portland State should be easily brushed aside. Then the hard part of their schedule comes. They head to Arizona, who they dominated last season. They play Stanford on six days rest, which should benefit them at home. They then head to the house of horrors in Autzen, where they have never even come close to threatening the Ducks. Could this be the year fortunes reverse?

After a bye week and their easiest Pac-12 game against Oregon State, Washington has to avoid traps on the road in Salt Lake City and Berkeley, but they should feel pretty comfortable that they can win either game. The Huskies then don't leave Washington the rest of the season, with USC and Arizona State wrapping up their home slate and a potential high-stakes Apple Cup in Pullman. The door is open for Washington to seize opportunity.

Full schedule available below:

Sat 9/3: Rutgers at Washington

Sat 9/10: Idaho at Washington

Sat 9/17: Portland St at Washington

Sat 9/24: Washington at Arizona

Fri 9/30: Stanford at Washington

Sat 10/8: Washington at Oregon

Sat 10/15: BYE

Sat 10/22: Oregon St at Washington

Sat 10/29: Washington at Utah

Sat 11/5: Washington at Cal

Sat 11/12: USC at Washington

Sat 11/19: Arizona St at Washington

Fri 11/25: Washington at WSU