Looking back at my sixth grade year, I distinctly remember a group of kids playing dodgeball during recess and it caught my curiosity. This wasn't the "safe for school" type of dodgeball we've come to know; it was old-fashioned standing against a wall, hoping and praying the big kid wouldn't chuck the ball at my face...but he did. I just got glasses around this time and I remember my new glasses were crooked, and my face was pulsating. After being hit once, I called it quits and proceeded to the tetherball court.
What does this have to do with football you may ask?
I was the little dorky kid who tried to hang with the big boys, but after one brutal hit, I surrendered. This is going to be the exact same treatment the North Dakota Fighting Hawks must face on September 8th when they step foot into Husky Stadium. Washington has had no problem taking care of FCS schools in the past, and this one shouldn't be any different.
Here's my 5 reasons why the Huskies should have no problem taking care of North Dakota:
Home Opener at the Greatest Setting in College Football
Husky Stadium ranks as one of the loudest stadiums in all of college football. I don't expect a packed house for this one, but Husky fans know that expectations in 2018 are bigger than the size of Lake Washington. Regardless of how many fans show up, the first home game is critical and UW won't let their fans (and young alumni, such as myself) go home disappointed...especially against an FCS School.
UW eats FCS opponents up like appetizers
For those wondering, the FCS is still apart of the NCAA, but it's more like Division II (teams like Portland State, Montana, Sacramento State, etc.) compared to Division I (UW, UCLA, Notre Dame, etc.). Dating back to 2012, UW is 6-0 against FCS teams while outscoring them 320-75 (52 of those 75 points were thanks to Eastern Washington in 2014). I'd be extremely shocked if UW doesn't put up a 50 burger against the Fighting Hawks.
UW's overall success topples North Dakota's achievements
We have to give North Dakota credit: they've won multiple conference championships, including recently in 2016 when they split the title with Eastern Washington. In that same year, they lost to Richmond in the 2nd round of the FCS Playoffs. Unfortunately, the FCS doesn't get the same spotlight as the FBS does. Because of that, UW's 2016 Pac-12 Championship, victories against USC, Stanford, and even losses to stellar teams like 'Bama and Penn State shine brighter than anything North Dakota has achieved. The talent in the FCS is a major part of this, too.
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom!
Normally when we think of speedy football teams, we think of the Oregon Ducks (it's disgusting that I had to type out their name). However, this Huskies team has speed for days! Even after losing John Ross - with his 4.22 40-Yard Dash - to the NFL in 2017, the Huskies have playmakers who know how to move with their legs such as RBs Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed and WR Chico McClatcher, who missed most of last season with an injury. The quickness of this team is going to make North Dakota beg for halftime asap.
The Fighting Hawks?! L.O.L.
Okay, fine, I had to resort to picking on their name for a lazy final reason because I can't get over their name. It's one thing to be called the "Seahawks", but the Fighting Hawks? Their silly name alone makes me think they won't score more than 10 points in this one!
While I don't condone heavy drinking, take a shot every time the Huskies score a touchdown. I'm more than positive you won't remember anything past the 2nd quarter.
