Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. passed for 430 yards and two touchdowns as No. 2 Washington beat No. 3 Texas 37-31 in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff championship game,

Michael Penix Jr. and the No. 8 Washington and traveling to East Lancing to visits Michigan State on Saturday. Both teams are 2-0. Washington is favored by 16 1/2 points.

No. 10 Washington will begin a year of high expectations with an early challenge as the Huskies host Mountain West favorite Boise State in the season opener.

Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. are about to enter their final college seasons, two of the best in a quarterback-rich conference tied together by their talent, their geography playing in the Pacific Northwest

There is a very real possibility that when the new preseason AP Top 25 is unveiled on Aug. 14, ’Bama could be squeezed out of the top-three for the first time since 2009.

Penix can put an exclamation point on his stellar season Saturday when the 12th-ranked Huskies face Washington State in the Apple Cup.

The Ducks are led by quarterback Bo Nix, who is getting Heisman Trophy buzz for his dynamic play. He'll match wits with Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., the national leader in yards passing per game at 359.1.

Washington returns home looking to snap a two-game losing streak when it hosts Arizona. Washington is 4-0 in Seattle this season. Arizona is coming off a home loss to No. 12 Oregon and has alternated wins and losses through its first six games.

Washington is showing the troubles of previous seasons may be in the past after a 3-0 start to the first season with Kalen DeBoer as head coach. The latest victory over Michigan State vaulted the Huskies back into the AP Top 25 at No. 18.

Washington hopes to avoid getting caught looking ahead to its marquee nonconference game against No. 14 Michigan State next week.