College Football is such a standalone microcosm of the wider sports universe. It’s very atypical in how it’s run, how the teams are subjectively ranked, and how it’s a community-driven thing. All its quirks and abnormalities are what make CFB tick and make it thrive. One such quirk is the concept of spring football- something that’s etched in the fabric of the sport. But tell a non-fan about it, and they’ll find it to be in equal parts puzzling and fascinating.

Spring football is like that spin-off between breaks in the canon of a TV series. You’re yearning for some football, but there’s just too big a gap between January and September. Your team’s makeup and personnel has turned on its head, and you want a teaser of what to expect. 15 days of practice in breezy, summery weather. 2 of which are strictly non-contact. Not allowed to exceed 4 hours a day. Followed by an inter-program exhibition showcase to get a taste for game-situations and rever yourself to the fans if you’re new. Then go back to attending your lectures, waiting for August to roll about. 

The idiosyncrasy of it all is meshed with a chance for fans to grow closer to the team they love. One program is embracing this opportunity with spring football to the fullest. The Washington Huskies saw their largest attendance in years when 15,000 fans made their way to Husky Stadium to see the Jedd Fisch’s team play the spring finale. They seem to have discerned the main reason for this level of fervor for a practice game- the time it’s played at. Not exactly a Eureka moment, but very shrewd rationale nonetheless.

Washington has announced their “Dawgs After Dark” spring finale exhibition shall be played on May 2nd at 6.30 PM pacific. This follows on from 2024 which was another evening/night game. Makes sense, with people wanting to check-in with Jedd Fisch and his Huskies after a long week of work on a Friday. Not to mention, Husky Stadium under the lights is an incredibly enticing proposition. Expect the stands to be relatively full once again for this free-admission event. Conversely, though, there were some very glaring reasons why attendance was as high as it was last time around. The 2024 spring finale was a bittersweet affair.

Washington had just come off a Cinderella run to the Natty. Excitement around the program was cusping on an all-time high. That’s the sweet bit. However, the likes of Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze had just ascended to the NFL. More importantly, Jedd Fisch had just taken over the reigns from Kalen DeBoer. Spring football was the first opportunity for the Huskies faithful to see the makings of the team as they entered a whole new era. Only 2 starters from the Natty run returned, both on defense.  It’s not coincidental that people pulled up in hoards. Fans must’ve wanted to show their support to Fisch and his new-look team. A year in the books, he’d have hoped chapter 1 read a little more upbeat and a little less sombre.

Jedd Fisch bleak year 1 sees a silver lining with forthcoming spring football

The Washington Huskies went from a 14-1 season straight into the abyss of mediocrity. A downturn was expected by even the ardent and delusional fans. But falling under .500 and not making a Bowl game? Naturally didn’t go down well on the fringes of the fanbase. Jedd Fisch is making moves to propel his team back into the upper echelons of the B1G, but his efforts to move a couple steps forward are met with one backward.

Jedd Fisch and the Huskies have lost defensive coordinator Steve Belichick mere months after bringing him to Seattle. He jumped ship to take on the same capacity with UNC under his father Bill Belichick. Steve isn’t even the only person to make way to Chapel Hill. 4 players have followed suit, including cornerback Thaddeus Dixon, safety Peyton Waters, linebacker Khmori House and WR Jason Robinson. It’s particularly interesting that 3 of these 4 players play on defense. Which has led to suggestion some foul play is involved, but that’s a whole ‘nother can of worms.

For now, Jedd Fisch and the program will look forward with a glass-half full perspective. He only had 2 starters at his disposal for last spring. This time around, he’ll have 10- 6 on offense, 4 on D. That continuity affords Fisch and his staff a great foundation to build things back up. An improvement in performances and results is requisite. The spring finale will be the first foray into understanding where the Washington Huskies are headed in year 2 of Fisch.