Georgia is a two-time defending national champion and the No. 1 team in both major polls, but Kirk Herbstreit thinks you can make a case for another team as the best in the country at the moment.
On College GameDay this morning, Herbstreit explained his reasoning for No. 8 Washington having a case to be the top dog in the sport right now.
“You can make an argument right now that Washington is executing at a level as the best team in college football,” Herbstreit said. “If you ranked them No. 1 in the country, I don’t think anybody could argue with you. The way [Michael] Penix [Jr.] is throwing the football, they’ve got great receivers, they can run, the defense is flying.
“Kalen DeBoer has these guys believing. Second year, big season last year. Washington right now looks great.”
Washington is the BEST team in CFB? #CollegeGameDay pic.twitter.com/cBZKwIWHOn
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 23, 2023
Coming off an 11-win season, the Huskies have blown out their first three opponents, beating Boise State, Tulsa and Michigan State by an average of 34.7 points per game.
Penix has thrown for 1,332 yards, 12 touchdowns and only one interception. Wide receivers Rome Odunze, Ja’lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan are each averaging 100 yards or more per contest, and tight end Jack Westover leads the team with four touchdown receptions.
Washington should move to 5-0 in the next two weeks against Cal and Arizona before a showdown with No. 10 Oregon on Oct. 14.
The Huskies will finish the year with a gauntlet of USC, Utah, Oregon State and Washington State.