Washington players can’t believe they are underdogs again
Nov 25, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington Huskies helmet sits during a game against the Washington State Cougars during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Huskies won 45-17. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Huskies were perfect this season, compiling a 13-0 record which included Pac-12 championship victory over Oregon.
Despite having been unbeaten and ranked higher than Oregon at the time, Washington entered that game as underdogs. Fast forward to now and the Huskies find themselves in the exact same position.
On New Year’s Day, Washington will square off against the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (12-1) with a chance to play for the National Championship on the line. But their perfect record and No. 2 ranking aside, the Huskie are once again underdogs, opening at +4 against Texas.
The doubt is something that doesn’t sit particularly well with Washington. It does, however, help motivate them.
“I think it’s crazy,” edge rusher Bralen Trice said, via ESPN. “Just the level of disrespect we get, I can’t really understand it, but it helps us because it makes us have our backs against the wall as we go into these games, ready to play even harder because we are the underdogs. You don’t take anything for granted out there. We’re grateful to be in the position we’re at because of the hard work we put in. We can be the underdog. We can be on top, and we’ll come out with the win.”
Trice added that he wants to go out there and completely dominate Texas, effectively sticking it to their doubters and critics.
“We’ve been in that position all year, and we’ve just got to go out and prove it again,” cornerback Dominique Hampton said.
Washington is the first-ever Pac-12 team to appear in the Sugar Bowl, which may be part of the reason the Huskies are viewed as underdogs. But they aren’t interested in past history, only carving their own path and creating their own history in the face of relentless doubt.
