Washington football is the latest team to opt out of bowl game

Washington football has decided against trying to play a bowl game this holiday season.

After only four games played, Washington football will not be playing in a bowl game this year.

Washington went 3-1 in the Pac-12’s shortened season before a coronavirus outbreak made the Huskies’ season even shorter. This was Jimmy Lake’s first year as the head coach. While Washington would have won the Pac-12 North crown over the Oregon Ducks had they been able to play, it is pretty clear the Huskies want to turn the page on 2020 to focus on a better 2021.

How many teams will want to play in bowl games this year anyway?

Washington is not the first team to opt out of playing a bowl game this season and the Huskies will not be the last. Had Washington been able to play in the Pac-12 Championship on Friday night, they may have wanted to play in a bowl game. Had they won, the would have earned a likely spot in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the New Year’s Six. Those are the only games worth playing in.

Either Oregon of the USC Trojans will play in that marquee bowl game this year and will reap the recruiting benefits from it. Playing in one of those six games is a huge deal in the eyes of top recruits around the country, as they signify if you come to our school, you might be able to play in the College Football Playoff one day. Those six games are part of the national semifinal rotation.

Because Washington is not healthy, we cannot blame Lake’s team for sitting this bowl season out.

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