Waking up on Saturday is going to feel a lot like the meme of Will Smith in “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” where he’s standing around in an empty room by himself. I decided to make it the cover photo for this story so if you don’t know what I’m talking about, now you do. This bye week to some younger fans, especially me, is an unfamiliar circumstance. The Huskies are currently sitting at 2-3, and while they aren’t out of the race for the Pac-12 North, the College Football Playoff dream of what I still consider one of the most talented Washington teams I’ve ever seen is dead.
So with that being said, the only team you need to really scoreboard watch is Oregon State, who’s currently sitting atop the conference with a 4-1 record overall, with a 2-0 record in Pac-12 play. They travel to Pullman for a matchup with Washington State, so… Go Cougs? But, if that isn’t a game you can sit through, I know I won’t be, here are some other ways to spend a Saturday during a college football season.
Binge your favorite TV show
Whatever you do, don’t watch another conference play. Especially if it’s the Red River Shootout, an Ohio State, or Alabama game. You’ll end up thinking about the shortcomings in Washington’s offensive scheme so far in 2021, and it’ll ruin your Saturday. I hear Ted Lasso is a fun, binge-worthy show if you’re looking for something new, and I just finished Squid Game, which I highly recommend. One other entertainment option is to go buy some tickets to see the new James Bond movie, “No Time to Die.” I bought my tickets and have heard great things about it, it’ll be a nice distraction for you from a painful college football season so far.
Go to the gym
One of my favorite ways to start a Saturday anyways, the gym is a great way to forget stats like the fact that Washington is 10th in the Pac-12 in rushing defense, allowing 181 yards per game on the ground, even though they rank third overall in the conference in total defense. The team also has a -1 turnover differential on the year, even after forcing nine turnovers over their last three games. And maybe this stat will help you throw a few extra pounds onto your bench press, the Husky defense has held two opposing quarterbacks under 50 yards passing this year, and are 0-2 in those games.
Check your fantasy football team
Don’t forget that lineups will begin locking at 6:30 AM PST on Sunday, as the Jets and Falcons are playing in London! While there won’t be any Huskies in that game, maybe you can pick up John Ross, who scored a 52-yard touchdown last week for the New York Giants, and reminisce about how well the 2016 offense clicked, when the Huskies were averaging 41.5 points per game.
Or, if you need to stream a defense and want one with some Pro Dawgs, consider the Arizona Cardinals defense. Byron Murphy is currently second in the league with four interceptions, and Budda Baker is still one of the best safeties in football. And if you check the waiver wire and somehow the Shaq Thompson-led Carolina Panthers are still available? Pick them up immediately.
Hopefully, this helps you fight that case of the Husky-less Saturday scaries. Share with me how you’re spending the bye-week by tweeting me some pictures, @rtomashoff34!
