The Monday Morning Wash
by John Berkowitz on Oct 5, 2009 7:00 AM PDT
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It was a fantastic weekend despite the loss. We hosted a number of Dawgfans at our home starting on Wednesday and at my brother in law Matt's cabin in Michigan on Friday and Saturday. Plus we had an awesome tailgate event on Saturday attended by around twenty Husky fans
Thanks to Kim Grinolds, Chris Fetters, Matt Lockner, Dave McCorkle, Kent Gingrich, Dick Fain and his brother, Adam and Bob Rogers, Craig and Liz Suhrbier, Dave Handy, Andy Pohlman, and everyone else who showed up at the tailgate party. We had a good crew of Husky fans out there.
The week started off with a deep dish pizza tasting at out house on Wednesday. Lou Malnati's was declared the winner over Giordano's and Gino's East.. On Thursday we neaded into the city and walked around Wrigley Field. We had lunch at Lucky's which was featured on "Man vs Food" earlier this year. They have have Pittsburgh style deli sandwiches with actual fresh cut french fries and cole slaw included on the sandwich. That night we met former Husky wide receiver Terry Tharps for dinner at Hugo's Frog Bar for some great prime steaks.
Friday we headed over to the Michiana area. We popped into the Stray Dog in New Buffalo for lunch and then went wine, beer, grappa, and vodka tasting over at the Round Barn Winery in Baroda, Michigan. The beer and hard spirtis were excellent!
That night we had Italian beef with giardinara over at the cabin as we proceeded to put our game faces on. I got up at 7:00 am on game day and fried a turkey and warmed up a spiral cut ham for the game. We arrived just around noon. We didn't exactly park as where planned because of the way traffic is routed the way we approached the stadium. We did find a great area to tailgate east of the baseball field.
Many thanks to all the Notre Dame fans we met during the day. All of them were great before and after the game. It is such a relief to party with a group of people who are accomodating and know how to behave. Such a difference from going to a place like Oregon.
As for the game we all thought the officials jobbed us but we all agreed that we had all the chances we needed in this game to overcome it. It was hard to believe we couldn't punch it in from the one with guys like Jake Locker, Chris Polk, and Paul Homer in the backfield.
This loss is going leave a mark as Chris Farley used to say on SNL. "Tell the Truth Monday" is going to be more about healing than telling the truth. The team and the fan base need to shake this one off. We have too because the reality is next week we are back to conference play and we have to beat Arizona. This is another game we circled as a win and we need to take advantage of it at home to even the record at 3-3.
The Wildcats have had a week off to heal up after a big win in Corvallis. This is a very winnable game and if we harbor hopes of playing a bowl game we need to pull ourselves back together and come out with a win this game.
The oddsmakers have this as a pick-em type of game. I agree and this won't be an easy contest. Washington lost half of its starting secondary in this game. Justin Glenn is probably out till November or longer with a broken fibula. Nate Williams is very doubtful with a concussion. D'Andre Goodwin probably has one too. Washington will have to reach down in the depth to fill some holes going forward. Lots of bumps and bruises cpmong out of this one.
Overall I am very proud of the way the Huskies played this game. They didn't win, and they should have, but you have to admire the heart of the players and the coaches. We have a talented young team and we have talented young coaches. Over a short period of time games like these will be ending up in the victory column.
Around the Pac Ten
Stanford 24 UCLA 16
This was a lot closer than I thought it would be. Figure that Stanford was a little roughed up from last week and was facing a much tougher defense. Toby Gerhart ran for three touchdowns, quarterback Andrew Luck passed for 198 yards and Stanford snapped a five-game losing streak to UCLA with a 24-16 victory Saturday to keep its hold on first place in the Pac-10 and spoil the Bruins' conference opener.
Oregon State 28 Arizona State 17
This one surprised me a little Big win for the Beavers who exposed the tepid ASU offense.Jacquizz Rodgersran for two touchdowns.. Sean Canfield threw for two more scores and Oregon State beat Arizona State 28-17 on Saturday for its first road win over the Sun Devils in 40 years.
USC 30 California 3
It must really suck to be a Golden Bear. Only two weeks ago they were riding high and now they are exposed as simply a one domensional offensive team that can't play defense. Joe McKnight ran for 119 yards and two scores, Taylor Mays and the defense shut down Jahvid Best and No. 7 USC re-established itself as a national contender with a 30-3 victory over No. 24 California on Saturday night.
Oregon 52 WSU 6
Are the Ducks the best team in the Pac 10 conference? Judging by the last two weeks they just might be. Jeremiah Masoli tweaked his knee so Nate Costa came in and finished off the Cougs.
Pac 10 Power Ratings
1. USC...The Trojans seem to be winding into shape after a slower than normal start. Big road win at Cal.
2. Oregon...Are the Ducks the class of the Pac 10? I guess we find out then they play the Trojans.
3. Stanford...Closer than expected win over UCLA. A good defensive team will expose their one dimensional offense.
4. Oregon State...Big win on the road down in Tempe. The Beavers have a track record of getting better as the season progresses.
5. Washington...Close but no cigar against Notre Dame. The Huskies are 2-3 which isn't impressive. What is impressive is they could be 4-1 right now with a break while playing the nations toughest schedule.
6. Arizona...big game in Seattle next weekend. With a week off to prepare they could come out with the win.
7. UCLA...Only one loss so far this season but the Bruins are headed into the teeth of the schedule now.
8. Arizona State...Weren't impressive at all in a loss at home to OSU.
9. California...Two ugly losses in a row have exposed the Golden Bears.
10. Washington State...this would have been a good year for Idaho to schedule the Cougs.
Pac 10 Offensive Player of the Week
Toby Gerhart of Stanford who scored three TD's and picked up 134 yards on the ground against UCLA.
Pac 10 Defensive Player of the Week
The Trojans' defense stuffed Cal's running game, holding Best to 47 yards on 14 carries. We give the award to Taylor Mays who was dominating all day.
Washington Offensive Player of the Week
Chris Polk had a career high of 136 rushing yards on Saturday.
Washington Defensive Player of the Week
Donald Butler had a solid day and a key interception against Notre Dame on Saturday.
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Arizona
Huge game! We’ve got to realize this game is way more important, as all conference games are. We the fans have to do our part and get Husky Stadium rockin’ like we did against $C. It was very apparent to me that our defense fed off the Husky Crowd noise as they should. This is a night game too and the atmosphere should be electric! GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Notre Dame
That was a game for the ages! The season isn’t even half way over and we’ve witnessed some of the best games of all time for the Huskies! GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
It was a great game
I really enjoyed the game. This is one we should have won but give ND credit for stopping us. We can blmae it on the refs…we can blame it on play calls…in the end it is really just a matter of ND bearing down and coming up with some great goal line stands.
by John Berkowitz on Oct 5, 2009 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Mixed Emotions
I’m not quite sure what I think about Saturdays game, or about the season as a whole. There is a lot to be excited about, the coaching staff really seems to have things headed in the right direction. Yet, there is a lot to be worried about, especially a defense that can’t stop a pee wee team from putting up 400 yards of offense.
I’m very impressed with the way the team has played against some very tough talent, I probably wouldn’t have been surprised if you told me we’d be 2-3 at this point. But I also feel that we played a half assed game against Idaho, and played a one eigth assed game against Stanford. This week is extremely important, Arizona is a winnable game, and we really need to learn to win the games we are suppose to win. A 3-3 team will be a very good point to start the second half of the season, a 2-4 team will be on the brink of folding and waiting for “more bullets”. Should be a fun game, I’ve got my reservations on the Ivar’s Salmon House Husky Boat, it’s going to be a long week waiting for gameday.
P.S. – It wasn’t the official’s fault we lost the game, it was the pant’s fault. Had we been wearing purple pants, we would have won the game!!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
It was always going to be a struggle to get to 6-6
I said before the season that every game except USC and Cal were winnable…now it looks like every game on the schedule is winnable.
by John Berkowitz on Oct 5, 2009 8:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Just “hold serve” at home and we’ll be good – steal one on the road and we’ll be golden.
Keep in mind that the teams we’ve played so far this year are a combined 22-4. Two of those loses were from us so it could be said that they are,in a way, 22-2. In other words we’ve played some VERY good teams so far. Maybe the toughest first five games of anyone in the country.
Good points
Should be really interesting to see what we can/can’t do against the “easier” part of our schedule.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Couldn't agree more
I’ve always been of the opinion that 6-6 would be an accomplishment. My problem is every game is winnable, and every game (except WSU) is loseable. So far I’m impressed with our effort in “big” games, and I’m equally unimpressed with our effort in “average” games. This week will tell us quite a bit, it’s a team we can beat, a team we should beat, but by no means will it be easy, so will they show up and play with the effort necessary to win?
The offense is going to have to be successful and put up points, I don’t have much faith in our defense to win a game for us.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Definitely concerned about the defense...
especially with the latest round of injuries. Depth was always an issue that Sark was trying to address for future years, but for now it is certainly making things more difficult for the team.
I'm tired of next year. Win now!
by wishfulthinking on Oct 5, 2009 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Average Games
Well we’ve had like one “average” game, right Lear? As I was told not much to go on to see a pattern. I stand corrected on the road games. ND road game=great team effort/performance.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I agree
I’m basing this off of a small sample size, this week will really add to that sample size. I’m concerned that we are playing to the level of our competition, which is great against tough teams, but not great when playing average or less teams.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
But I also feel that we played a half assed game against Idaho…
Have you noticed that Idaho is 4-1? This isn’t the same whipping boy team of a few years ago – beating Idaho while rotating in so many young players and keeping the schemes simple is looking more and more impressive. I don’t think the team played half-assed in that one. They probably didn’t have quite the same intensity as vs. LSU, USC and Notre Dame, but that’s hardly unexpected.
…and played a one eigth assed game against Stanford.
I think that’s too harsh of an assessment. Stanford is proving to be a very good team, and we simply got our butts handed to us. We need more time under Ivan Lewis and more of Sark’s own recruits in place before we can match them physically. As for effort, it may have been a bit sub-par, but very few teams have the game to game focus that our ’91 team had.
2. Oregon...Are the Ducks the class of the Pac 10?
I just upchucked my breakfast.
by bigdawgdaddy999 on Oct 5, 2009 9:45 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
agree!
never use the word ducks and class in the same sentence again, please.
I'm tired of next year. Win now!
by wishfulthinking on Oct 5, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Long weekend
Those two words probably shouldn’t be used together.
They are on a roll right now.
by John Berkowitz on Oct 5, 2009 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Sounds like an awesome experience
I got to visit Chicago a few years ago when I made a trip to South Bend. What a phenomenal city! If I ever make it back I will consider myself fortunate. But it looks like this time, I really missed out.
I’m also very happy to hear that my fellow ND fans were classy and treated all of you well. Notre Dame is a fabulous place, but there are a lot of idiots there as well.
Go Irish, beat Trojans. Go Huskies, beat Wildcats.
Schedule Change...
I just read on Bob C’s blog that rumor has it that UW will be dropping BYU in 2011 and 2012 and picking up Portland State and Eastern Washington. NOT A FAN OF THIS…I take pride in the fact that we have never played a lower division team. Now I understand wanting to get another home game in 2012 but schedule a FBS team PLEASE!!!! I like helping ease the schedule but there has to be another way….
Has anyone else heard this rumor and what are your thoughts?
Schedule Change... comment
I think the UW is waiting to see what type of reaction it gets from fans, alumni and fomer players. No way I want to see Portland State and Eastern Washington. Recruits come here because of the exposure of playing Top Ranked Teams out of conference. Don’t look for TV contracts if your playing PSU and EWU.
by bigdawgdaddy999 on Oct 5, 2009 12:20 PM PDT reply actions
Schedule
It doesn’t make sense to keep playing the type of schedule we have been playing if the rest of the Pac 10 and the BCS isn’t going to follow suit. Rumor has it that the Pac 10 is strongly considering an eight game conference schedule rather than the current nine game schedule…this decision would mean four non conference games. Count on one of them each year being against a Big Sky or similar type opponent.
by John Berkowitz on Oct 5, 2009 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree that...
…we shouldn’t have an AAC schedule but going to D level isn’t the answer either. On the other hand I think some of these C teams (Idaho etc) are coveted by the big boys and are getting harder to schedule. I’m sure that’s a big part of this.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Nick Rowland
According to Biggens at ESPN, Rowland says he’ll take a couple of days to consider ASU, Oregon, and UW. He canceled his visit to UCLA. Since ASU didn’t perform very well last Saturday, and since he was on hand for the USC game, I’m thinking he may have been swayed by the Notre Dame game and is about to choose the DAWGS!
Mush you Huskies!!! GO DAWGS!!!
Expect to Win!!!
Fingers Crossed
He would be another HUGE pick up (literally!) for an already solid class. Bring in Rowland then steal Hatchie and our O-Line will be looking real good in a couple years.
I think this is very wishful thinking. I think the Dawgs have a good shot at getting him, but don’t kid yourself that Oregon isn’t right there in the mix too.
I’m crossing my fingers that his relationship with Cozzetto and the obvious opportunity for early playing time here will sway him to the Huskies, but I’m not going to be too surprised if he doesn’t choose us.
On the West Recruiting Blog today
Biggins said in the comments section that Rowland should pick the *ucks.
Hope this doesn’t happen!
by ChazzReinhold on Oct 5, 2009 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
That would be sWeet!
Hope so…GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Jordan Jame
Some pretty interesting comments made by Jordan James…
“It was different than Washington because on my official visit to UW, we sat in the student section. At Cal, we sat across from the students in the regular section and a lot of the fans there were yelling at us to take our seats because they couldn’t see since we were a little late getting up there. It was weird, some of the fans were just plain rude to us and we had a lot of the USC fans sitting in our section too so that part was a lot different than my other visit.”
I cant imagine not taking James if he wants to come to UW but three RB’s in this class seems like a lot, especially with Polk only being a RS Freshmen. Nice thing is whoever comes will be in a great position to redshirt their freshmen year which is what I would love for us to do with every player (except for rare occasions where the kid is just THAT good, AJ Green, Julius Jones, etc)
I really hope that we get some D-Line guys on board. Pretty weak right now and that is DEFINITELY a position of need….
I’d have no problem fitting James in to the class. RB’s can often get switched successfully to other positions to help out areas of need, and James appears special enough that you accommodate him.
As for James’ comments, look at everything he said, including:
“I loved it there,” James said.
And:
“Overall, I had a great time and I’m definitely considering Cal. Both of my trips so far were pretty comparable.”
I think the UW has a shot at him based on what he was saying about liking how Cal uses their RB’s and their history of RB’s – Sark can sell him on how he used RB’s at USC, and James can look at the success Polk is having despite a questionable O-Line. The tipping point though may be Cal’s proximity, the fact that Best may leave early while Polk is a RS-Fr and the slightly better academic rep Cal has over the UW.
I have to first off that John, you were right about Kevin Riley – he’s not that great, certainly not the #2 QB in the conference. I’d probably rate Matt Barkley and Andrew Luck ahead of him, and possibly Masoli too.
On Stanford – before the season I was a bit skeptical about the talk of them finally breaking through. I couldn’t get out of my head the memory of the UW almost beating them despite losing Locker. Well, they’ve proven they are a tough, good team. Not invincible, but a tough team to play. I think USC will handle them, but other than that I could very easily see Stanford finishing #2 in the conference.
I’ve also been impressed by UCLA. I thought before the season that their questionable O-line, RS-Fr QB and overall weak offense would leave them as a possible #9 finisher in the conference, but I underestimated how good their defense is and how much they will keep the Bruins in close games. No shame in losing a close one to Stanford this year.
Credit also to Oregon for getting their act together. Hard to argue they aren’t one of the top teams in the conference. I think it’ll come down to USC, Oregon and Stanford for the conference title. That said, I think the Dawgs have a shot at knocking them off at home.
Stanford
It is really about the matchups for Stanford…we just didn’t match up well with them. UCLA because of their defense matched up better. The Bruins still lost but they were able to keep Gerhart under better control which puts more pressure on Luck.
Just for the record…USC will beat Stanford.
Just for the record…USC will beat Stanford.
Yeah, I would favor USC in that game. Big question for me is Stanford’s defense – can they hang with Oregon? Stanford should be able to beat the rest on their schedule, including Notre Dame and Cal, so long as they continue to play hard.
Oregon
They really are hitting on all cylinders right now. I think they can take down the Trojans.
by John Berkowitz on Oct 5, 2009 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Yep, this isn’t quite the same dominating USC of the last several years.
I still can’t shake the mediocre performance Oregon had up until the Cal game though – they are humming right now, but I could see it coming to a halt again, especially against the Trojans. Aside from 2001, Carroll’s 1st season and 2007 when the Ducks were rolling in Dixon’s Sr. season, the Trojans have pounded the Ducks under Pete. They have the athletes to shut down Oregon’s misdirection offense. And while we don’t have the athletes that USC does, I like the fact our coaches have had success against Oregon’s schemes.
Whether USC can score enough on offense against Oregon is another question, but with a healthy Barkley gaining experience, I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Trojans continue to gain steam and stomp the Ducks.
It also wouldn’t shock me if Stanford’s running game was enough to hold a big TOP advantage over Oregon and win a tight game.
The whole conference is up in the air this year IMO, even at the top.
Away Uniforms
What did you guys think of the all white? I like them. GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Not a fan.
Any team can wear all white, the only reason the “kids” like them is because they are different. Our colors are purple and gold, we should wear as much purple and gold as the NCAA will allow us.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
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