Former Washington Head Coach Rick Neuheisel Predicts Huskies Will Upset Ohio State

CBS Sports college football analyst and former Washington head coach Rick Neuheisel gave a bold prediction for the Huskies and Buckeyes’ clash in Seattle on Saturday.  

Neuheisel said that Washington quarterback Demond Williams will be the catalyst for the Husky offense, while he had questions about how the defense would hold up against a potent Ohio State offense. 

“Demond Williams is a helluva player, a really good player, and I think he’s gonna prove that against this team, not only with his arm but with his legs,” Neuheisel said. “I don’t worry about the Husky offense; I worry about their defense. ‘Can they hold up against a big-time offensive line, a big-time offensive group?’” 

Though Neuheisel praised Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin’s play through three games, he feels the sophomores in experience will be the downfall of the Buckeyes. 

Neuheisel drew a parallel between Ohio State and Washington’s 2025 clash and the Huskies upset of the 2000 Miami Hurricanes and freshman quarterback Ken Dorsey, suggesting this matchup could unfold in a similar fashion.

“But here’s the key: (Washington) won that Miami game (in 2000) because Ken Dorsey was a freshman quarterback for Miami,” Neuheisel said. “All the other pieces were in place, but he wasn’t ready for that kind of scene, that kind of crowd involvement, and here comes Julian Sayin for his first game on the road. He’s been marvelous, almost 80 percent as a passer, but I’m gonna take the dogs in a big-time upset.”