The Washington Huskies are hoping that the they can have a November to remember after becoming “Bowl Eligible” in a 42-25 victory over number 25, Illinois.  But they have designs of much bigger post-season prizes that are well within their reach.  Washington now sit at 6-2 with 4 games remaining, against Wisconsin, Purdue, UCLA and Oregon.

Eight wins is quite possible with a trip to Wisconsin to start the month of November after a bye week.

However, last week in the AP Poll the Huskies didn’t receive a single vote after losing to Michigan.  In the Coaches Poll UW fared only slightly better picking up 3 votes.  Counting those ahead who also received votes Washington was essentially 38th in the nation with a 5-2 record.

It made zero sense.

Washington’s 2 losses were to the top ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, and the number 24 Michigan.  There were 7 ranked Power 4 teams with the same 5-2 record (Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas, LSU, Illinois, Michigan, and Arizona State) who were ranked.

Sure, the Huskies, against Michigan didn’t look particularly good offensively, but the defense managed to keep it close for most of the game.  But the voters didn’t see it that way–or see it at all.

In both of UW’s losses they scored single digit points while OSU and Michigan put 24 on the scoreboard.

Bring on the No. 23 Illini.

Despite what appeared to be some egregious mistakes by the officials, Washington dominated UI.  That drops one 2-loss team out of the Top 25.  Also losing this weekend, of the 2-loss teams, were LSU, and Arizona State.  Additionally, Oklahoma, Missouri, and South Florida all lost.

Michigan will most likely move from 25 to 19ish, making Washington’s loss appear better on paper and theoretically, pulling UW up with them as UW’s only losses are to top 20 teams.  That’s logically–which doesn’t seem to apply to the AP anymore.

Is the convincing win in broad daylight enough to move UW into the Top 25?  Certainly, by the coaches, but it still might not be enough for the AP Poll.