Pac-12 mailbag: Should Washington worry about a ‘Hype Jinx?’

7:04 PM ET

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To the questions!

After several disappointing seasons, it appears Washington may be back on the rise. AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez

Craig from Huskyville writes: We in Huskyville are in a funny situation. Let me explain. Our esteemed and once dominant football team has been getting a lot of positive PR heading into this season. We’re even showing up in the top 20 of more than one preseason poll — amazing for a team that hasn’t won more than five conference games in who knows how long. Which leads me to ask — for myself and any other hopeful, yet paranoid, fans — is there such a thing as a preseason hype jinx? Thanks and keep up the good work. That is, unless you’re jinxing our team.

Ted Miller: Yes, there is a Hype Jinx. It’s real.

Recent victims?

Auburn was No. 6 to start the 2015 season. It finished 7-6. Arizona State coach Todd Graham talked national title all preseason when his team was 15th. The Sun Devils spiraled to a 6-7 finish.

In 2014, it was South Carolina falling from No. 9 to 7-6, while Florida tumbled all the way from 10th to 4-8 in 2013. Lest you think we are just noting how often SEC teams are overhyped, USC in 2012 is the best example of all: No. 1 in the preseason, a 7-6 dumpster …

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