The 2013 Washington Huskies: A Season of Unfulfilled Potential

The 2013 Washington Huskies football team was like a firework that fizzled out before it could light up the sky. Led by head coach Steve Sarkisian, the team was poised for greatness with a roster brimming with talent. The season kicked off on August 31, 2013, at their home turf, Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. The Huskies were expected to make a significant impact in the Pac-12 Conference, but despite a promising start, they ended up with a record that left fans wanting more. The question is, why did this team, with so much potential, fail to deliver the explosive results everyone anticipated?

First off, let's talk about the talent. The 2013 Huskies had a roster that could make any college football fan drool. Quarterback Keith Price was a seasoned leader, and running back Bishop Sankey was a force to be reckoned with, eventually becoming a second-round NFL draft pick. The defense was anchored by linebacker Shaq Thompson, who would go on to have a successful NFL career. With such a lineup, the Huskies were expected to be a dominant force in the Pac-12.

The season started with a bang. The Huskies demolished Boise State 38-6 in their season opener, setting the stage for what many thought would be a breakout year. They continued to perform well, winning four of their first five games. But then, the wheels started to come off. A mid-season slump saw them lose three consecutive games to Stanford, Oregon, and Arizona State. These losses exposed weaknesses in the team's defense and raised questions about their ability to compete against top-tier opponents.

One of the most glaring issues was the inconsistency in their performance. The Huskies could go from looking like world-beaters one week to a team struggling to find its identity the next. This inconsistency was a major factor in their inability to string together a series of wins against quality opponents. It was as if the team had all the ingredients for success but couldn't quite get the recipe right.

Another factor that contributed to the Huskies' underwhelming season was the coaching situation. Steve Sarkisian, who had been with the team since 2009, was rumored to be on the move. These rumors were confirmed when he left Washington at the end of the season to take the head coaching job at USC. The uncertainty surrounding Sarkisian's future undoubtedly had an impact on the team's morale and focus. It's hard to play your best when you're not sure if your coach is fully committed to the program.

The Huskies finished the regular season with an 8-4 record, which, while respectable, was not what fans had hoped for given the talent on the roster. They did manage to end the season on a high note with a victory over BYU in the Fight Hunger Bowl, but it was a small consolation for a season that promised so much more.

In the end, the 2013 Washington Huskies football team serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unfulfilled potential. They had the talent, the fan support, and the opportunity to make a significant impact in college football. But a combination of inconsistency, coaching distractions, and tough competition kept them from reaching the heights they were capable of. It's a reminder that in sports, as in life, potential means nothing without the ability to execute when it matters most.