Washington Aims for Clean, Convincing Win Over No. 5 FCS UC Davis; Week 2 picks
Washington Huskies football faces UC Davis Aggies in Week 2 at Husky Stadium. Key players, matchup preview, betting odds, and prediction
UC Davis v. Washington
Date: Saturday - September 6, 2025, 8 p.m. PT
Location: Husky Stadium (Seattle, WA)
TV: Big Ten Network
U.C. Davis Overview
Record: 1-0
Conference: Big Sky
Coach: Tim Plough
Key Players:
Caden Pinnick (Redshirt Fr.) Quarterback - Pinnick earned FCS national freshman of the week honors after leading a 24-point comeback against Utah Tech last weekend in his first career win as the Aggies’ signal caller. The Del Oro product completed 21 of his 31 pass attempts for 253 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
Rex Connors (Sr.) Defensive Back - The (slightly) smaller of the Connors brothers collected 15 total tackles in the win against Utah Tech and has been a tackling machine in his decorated career for the Aggies. Connors set the single season record for solo tackles for UC Davis in 2024 with 74 and was named an FCS All-American. Connors was also named to the preseason All-Big Sky team and will look to wreak some havoc on Saturday.
Porter Connors (Sr.) Linebacker - Porter Connors joined his brother with double-digit tackles on Saturday with 10. Connors was All-Big Sky second team in 2024 and was a preseason All-Big Sky honoree. Porter recorded 86 tackles with 6.5 for loss in 2024.
Three Things to Know
UC Davis is ranked No. 5 in FCS for a reason: Although UC Davis plays in the Big Sky conference, the Aggies still are capable of putting up a fight against the Huskies. UC Davis is among the elites of the FCS and proved it a season ago with an 11-3 record and a No. 5 ranking in the FCS polls. This year’s team returns a great deal of talent from the 2024 team, having seven preseason All-Big Sky selections as well as a freshman QB who has already turned heads at the national level.
Which young skill players for UW will make Husky Nation learn their names? Redshirt freshman Jordan Washington and true freshmen wide receivers Raiden Vines-Bright and Dezmen Roebuck showed flashes of what’s to come for the Huskies in the future against Colorado State. Washington had four carries for 15 yards and Roebuck recorded two receptions for 27 yards and Vines-Bright played a lot of quality snaps on offense. Look for these young Dawgs to get a lot more action against UC Davis on Saturday and introduce themselves to Husky Nation.
UC Davis has nothing to lose: Washington is the only FBS school UC Davis plays all year. Everyone expects UC Davis to lose this game, and rightfully so. The Aggies in their only game against an FBS foe in 2024 ended in a 31-13 stomping by Cal. That is exactly why this game is tricky. Look for UC Davis to go deep in the playbook and try anything to outwit and trick the Huskies to try and pull a historic upset.
Washington’s Keys to Victory
Key 1: Limit the unforced errors.
On Saturday, Washington was driving and looking to extend its 14-7 lead when center, junior Landen Hatchett, snapped the ball off sophomore QB Demond Williams and Colorado State recovered the fumble. Instead of a potential double-digit lead, Washington entered the second half tied with CSU after the Rams went on a nine play 66-yard drive after recovering the fumble. Unforced errors give inferior opponents life, so the more careful UW is with the football on Saturday, the quicker the game should be out of reach for UC Davis.
Key 2: Offensive line continues to push.
The offensive line was under a lot of pressure entering Saturday’s game against Colorado State, and the unit ended up impressing. Washington ran for a whopping 283 yards on 5.5 yards per-carry in the victory. True freshman left guard, John Mills, graded out as the highest rated left guard of week one according to PFF. Washington pushed around the Colorado State defensive line, but the UC Davis defensive front is a stout bunch that allowed just 2.7 yards per-carry against Utah Tech last weekend. With a week to improve, look for the UW offensive line to make another statement on Saturday.
Key 3: Defense keeps UC Davis off the field.
It took a half for the Washington defense to finally settle in against Colorado State, allowing just seven points in the second half while forcing a turnover. However, in the first half Colorado State rushed all over the UW defense and kept the game close. If Washington wants to be able to rest the starters in the fourth quarter, the defense will have to come out strong and carryover its performance from the second half against CSU.
Prediction
Spread: Washington is favored by 28.5 points.
Kevin: I think this game will be cleaner than last week’s game for Washington. Anything less than a 20-point win would be a disappointment. Huskies win big here, as expected. Kevin’s Pick: Washington 45, UC Davis 20
Danny: The offense dominated on Saturday against CSU, and the defense picked it up in the second half to stifle the Rams. Take care of the ball, establish the run, and force three-and-outs on defense, and Washington should cruise to an easy win. Danny’s Pick: Washington 42, UC Davis 17
Week 2 Picks
2025 Records
Kevin: (Straight up, 4-1; vs. the spread, 2-3)
Danny: (Straight up, 2-3; vs. the spread, 0-5)
No. 11 Illinois at Duke (Saturday at 9 a.m., ESPN)
The spread: Illinois is favored by 2.5 points.
Kevin’s pick: Illinois 23, Duke 17
Danny’s pick: Illinois 20, Duke 14
Kansas at Missouri (Saturday at 12:30 p.m., ESPN 2)
The spread: Missouri is favored by 6.5 points.
Kevin’s pick: Missouri 27, Kansas 24
Danny’s pick: Missouri 35, Kansas 27
Oklahoma State at No. 6 Oregon (Saturday at 12:30 p.m., CBS)
The spread: Oregon is favored by 27.5 points.
Kevin’s pick: Oregon 38, Oklahoma State 17
Danny’s pick: Oregon 42, Oklahoma State 17
No. 15 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma (Saturday at 4:30 p.m., ABC)
The spread: Oklahoma is favored by 5.5 points.
Kevin’s pick: Oklahoma 21, Michigan 18
Danny’s pick: Oklahoma 31, Michigan 18
Stanford at BYU (Saturday at 7:15 p.m., ESPN)
The spread: BYU is favored by 20.5 points.
Kevin’s pick: BYU 30, Stanford 14
Danny’s pick: BYU 49, Stanford 20