Western Power Ratings

by John Berkowitz on Sep 29, 2008 7:59 AM PDT

The Pac 10 takes another one on the chin as USC falls to Oregon state on the road. I wouldn't count the Trojans out of the national championship picture just yet. The Florida loss to Mississippi shows that anything can happen.

1. Brigham Young (4-0)...Do you really think they could beat USC? Conventional wisdom says no, but the Cougars move after the Trojans stumble. USC needs some style points next week against Oregon to reclaim the top spot. (8)

2. Southern California (2-1)...The Trojans did the unthinkable again losing to OSU on the road. If you don't bring you "A" game every week you won't win a national championship. (9)

3. Utah (5-0)...The Ute's keep cruising along but they had a tougher time than expected against Weber State. (15)

4. Boise State (3-0)...The Bronco's win over Oregon pushes them into the BCS picture. (17)

5. Fresno State (3-1)...They went to LA and got a victory over UCLA but it was way too close for comfort. UCLA simply isn't very good. (22)

6. Oregon (4-1)...The Ducks don't need QB's to win games. Judgement time comes this Saturday when they face USC on the road. Could the mighty Trojans go 0-2 against the state of Oregon in 2008? Don't bet on it! (23)

7. California (3-1)...The Bears had no problem with Colorado State as the Pac 10 picked up a rare win over a MWC opponent.

8. Texas Christian (4-1)...No shame in losing to a team like Oklahoma, but ti dropped them out of the national rankings.

9. Oregon State (2-2)...I never expected the Beavers to make it into the column this year but beating #1 USC makes that happen. Quiz Rodgers is going to be a stud over the next four years.

10. Arizona (3-1)...Are the Wildcats contenders or pretenders? They start to figure that out when Washington invades Tucson this weekend. This is exactly the type of game that Mike Stoops ends up losing.

*UNLV dropped out after losing to Nevada

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AZ game

John, while this is exactly the type of game Stoops loses, I truly doubt it will be this year. Our team was once again very (no fire) flat against the Furd, and it showed. What few of us fans that were there exhorted them on as best we could,but giving up TDs on 3rd downs even kills that. The usual 3 or 4 coaching gaffes in player/play calling/ time management seals the deal for even the most casual fan. I know midseason coach changes should be avoided, but our situation at UW may really need to be looked at. If we play flat at Tucson, the bye week may be a good time to throw in the towel and cut our losses. Like Nathan Ware says, make Tormey or Lappano interim lame duck HC for rest of season. I am wasting too much time, money and emotional stress for this product in its current form. Where do you stand on this issue of mid season change, do you think/believe its time?

by prrbrr on Sep 29, 2008 9:16 AM PDT reply actions

mid season coaching change ...

is a useless gesture unless you are targeting a currently unemployed coach. I see no reason to do it as it will expose the players to increased scrutiny, more greatly expose team flaws to potential coaching candidates, and give us absolutely no benefit in recruiting. Oh, and it certainly will not change the product on the field.

It would only serve to appease angry fans who will remain angry after they witness the first lopsided loss under the leadership of whoever is assigned interim. Let Ty finish out, let Ty absorb the blows from the media and get Woodward focused on being able to execute the hiring of the next coach rapidly after the Apple Cup.

Shake that hand that shook the hand of Hustlin' Hugh

by Minny C on Sep 29, 2008 10:24 AM PDT reply actions

If I was in charge?

If I was in charge I would fire him, or ask for his resignation going into the second bye week if the teams shoes poorly against Arizona.

I think things have slipped far enough that the benefits fo firing him now outweight the benefits of keeping him on the job till the WSU game.

Minny – You are way off base…this ship is sinking fast and it needs immediate new leadership. Willingham has become too much of a distraction.

by John Berkowitz on Sep 29, 2008 11:56 AM PDT reply actions

I agree John.

This ship has sunk and the recovery can’t begin soon enough.

by Snostrebla on Sep 29, 2008 11:57 AM PDT reply actions

Spelling

Sorry about the spelling guys. Going way too quickly!

by John Berkowitz on Sep 29, 2008 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

wouldnt it be better for recruiting to get rid of him now?

That way the recruits know who the new coach will be

btw, John I meant to ask you to take a look at my fanpost, I was wondering about the renovations of husky stadium. Thanks

I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me.
~Fred Allen

by Hook'em13 on Sep 29, 2008 12:30 PM PDT reply actions

What benefits

What are the benefits of canning him now? These reeks of an emotional decision with no specifics being laid out. I don’t get it. There is no bowl game in sight. There is no “immediate improvement” on the horizon. There are no other players that are not playing because the current coach is too loyal to other players. The interim coach is not going to get the job full time. There is no recruiting benefit. What are the benefits? Let him keep the job and keep taking the hits in the media. He made the bed.

Shake that hand that shook the hand of Hustlin' Hugh

by Minny C on Sep 29, 2008 2:29 PM PDT reply actions

one benifit

would be hiring a new head coach before recruiting is over so that we can have a better recruiting class

"There aint nothin' over till it's over. "
~Rocky Balboa

by Hook'em13 on Sep 29, 2008 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Another benefit

Giving yourself the luxury of six weeks more time is always a benefit.

by John Berkowitz on Sep 29, 2008 3:18 PM PDT reply actions

there gonna be lookin for a new coach wheather they fire him not or later

"There aint nothin' over till it's over. "
~Rocky Balboa

by Hook'em13 on Sep 29, 2008 3:22 PM PDT reply actions

^

now or later

"There aint nothin' over till it's over. "
~Rocky Balboa

by Hook'em13 on Sep 29, 2008 3:22 PM PDT reply actions

so that's it?

the only benefit we could come up with is giving ourselves more time to find a coach? seems like we’d be doing that whether or not Ty or Tim is coaching. I’m still of the argument that the negatives far outweigh the positives. We all know that a new coach is on his way. He won’t get here before December under any circumstance. So, why cause the chaos now and expose the kids to a media frenzy? It doesn’t make sense.

Shake that hand that shook the hand of Hustlin' Hugh

by Minny C on Sep 29, 2008 5:29 PM PDT reply actions

What benefits?

What are the benefits of canning him now? This reeks of an emotional decision with no specifics being laid out. I don’t get it. There is no bowl game in sight. There is no "immediate improvement" on the horizon. There are no other players that are not playing because the current coach is too loyal to other players. The interim coach is not going to get the job full time. There is no recruiting benefit. What are the benefits? Let him keep the job and keep taking the hits in the media. He made the bed.

Shake that hand that shook the hand of Hustlin' Hugh

by Minny C on Sep 29, 2008 5:30 PM PDT reply actions