Is the PAC-12 Title Game the Biggest in Huskies History?

As the Washington Huskies prepare to play the Colorado Buffaloes on Friday with the PAC-12 Conference Championship on the line, we consider if this is the biggest game in school history?

For the Huskies, there is much more on the line than just a trophy and a banner. A possible berth into the third ever College Football Playoff is also at stake. It would be the second time (Oregon, 2014) that a PAC-12 team makes it into the playoff.

This begs the question, with what is on the line Friday night, is the game against Colorado the biggest in Washington Huskies history? Let’s take a closer look:

Argument Against

I took a straw poll among the natives here in western Washington, most over the age of 40. These are the ones who can remember the Huskies of old, the Don James era and the power teams of the 70’s and 80’s. I got a similar response from just about everyone…

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“Definitely top five, maybe not number one.”

Arguments were made for the “mystical” 1960 national championship. The Huskies beat #1 Minnesota in the Rose Bowl and now claim the 1960 Huskies as “National Champions.” Anytime two top-five teams square off in the Rose Bowl, it gets plenty of hype.

One can argue that although the Huskies do not claim the 1984 national championship (that honor goes to BYU), the Orange Bowl win over then #2 Oklahoma was huge. It gave the Huskies an 11-1 season and a few polls crowned them the champs.

Of course, 1991 is likely the best overall season in Huskies history, as they finished 12-0, after wins over #9 Nebraska, #7 Cal and then finally 10-1 Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The USA Today and Coaches Polls crowned the Huskies 1991 national champions.

This is their last national title and the Huskies have only won three conference titles in the 25 years since. To be fair though, they also have won a Rose Bowl (2000) since then.

As far as individual games go, it looks like the rankings are thus…

3) #4 Washington vs #1 Minnesota, Rose Bowl, 1960

2) #4 Washington vs. #2 Oklahoma, Orange Bowl, 1984

1) #2 Washington vs. #4 Michigan, Rose Bowl 1991

Argument in Favor

The college football world has never seen something quite like the College Football Playoff. It is far better than the poll system that decided Washington’s previous national championships. It also far exceeds the computer robots that ran the BCS.

Now, four teams have a crack at winning it all instead of two. The number five team gets to kick, scream and press their noses against the window instead of number three.

Washington has a great opportunity in front of them. They were pretty hyped in the preseason and with a win, it will all be validated.

Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen looks on against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Huskies won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Some teams fall short of lofty expectations or even crumble under the pressure (looking at you, Notre Dame, Texas and Oregon). Washington has shut out the hype and proved it on the field. It all comes down to this game.

Trying to get into the playoff is unprecedented. It’s hard to gauge the enormity of this game, because of how new all of this is.

With a win, the Huskies get a shot at playing for the national title and perhaps Alabama. They get to go toe-to-toe with the titans of college football. People, for a whole month, will be talking about the Washington Huskies.

With a loss…it all disappears. If the Huskies lose, they likely will not even play in the Rose Bowl (naturally, it would go to the non-playoff PAC-12 champion Colorado). So this game is quite realistically playoff or bust. It’s the playoff or the Alamo/Holiday bowls.

Next: Huskies ready to bet the farm on Petersen

So, I ask again, is this game on Friday the biggest game in Washington Huskies football history? Probably not. Could it springboard them into the best season Husky fans have ever seen? Absolutely.

As such, let’s call this the biggest game since 1991.

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