Puppy Chow

by John Berkowitz on Sep 15, 2009 5:44 AM PDT

Usually on Tuesday we would be looking ahead to our next opponent, but because of personal, and travel commitments I am putting that in depth review off till Wednesday.

Lets open with the news that cornerback David Batts is no longer a Husky and he never even made it till the beginning of class. Batts was slated to be a starter and slid in the depth chart because he couldn't grasp the nunces of the safety position. He was switched to cornerback last week and didn't play against Idaho. Something happened over the weekend and Coach Sarkisian dismissed him from the the team. I am not sure exactly what happened but I imagine news will slip out over time. Most of us expected Batts to compete for a starting job this season and it never materialized.

On the injury front Darrion Jones and De'Shon Matthews are still nursing injuries but the coaches expect that they will be ready to go on Saturday. Everette Thompson may be a redshirt candidate according to what we have been reading. His ankle is still bothering him and the coaches would like to get a full season at 100% capacity out of him. Uw has depth at DE so it makes sense. The injury to Jones however may get in the way of those plans so the coaches are trying to push Thompson this week to see what he is capable of doing. If they don't like what they see they will preserve a year of his eligibilty.

The Stanford game is not going to be on TV supposedly because the Tree's want to avoid showing an empty stadium to a regional audience on the tube. Scott Woodward is reportedly totally hacked off by the decision and the Ragin Cajun is certainly someone you don't want to cross. When Stanford wants a future favor the answer will NO unless it is of obvious benefit to Washington. WSU already figured that one out to the tune of millions of dollars. Don't mess with Scott Woodward!

In the press conference today Steve Sarkisian says Saturday's battle against USC is just another game. He has a point but I don't believe it for a second. The coaches can downplay it all they want but this is one they had circled on their schedule. I think we are getting USC at the right time. After the big game with Ohio State chances are they are headed for a bit of a let down. I think the right bumps and bruises are in place for an upset. Did I say upset? If Stanford and Oregon State can do it we can do it.

Washington's offense led By Jake Locker has been very efficient over the first two games. Locker happens to be the best QB in the conference right now and with him at the helm anything is possible. I think we are going to give USC a game this Saturday. Defensively we are still challenged but I am encouraged by our ability to stop the run. If we can put together a pss rush on Saturday I like our chances.

As for last Saturday's game plan the coaches substituted freely for sixty minutes and a lot of players such as Justin Glenn, Desmond Trufant, and Talia Chrichton received significant playing time. UW stunted about 12% of the time on defense and really didn't do anything special in that regard. Look for that to significantly change on Saturday.

It looks like Sarkisian is going to take it easy on Monday's this season. The coach worked the players out for an hour on Monday evening. Washington is all about keeping the players healthy and the depth intact as the season progresses.

That is all I have for now...I will be back with more later.

Go Dawgs!

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Comments

Too bad about Batts

We could have used the body…maybe…if he was having trouble picking it up or didn’t want to learn it then good riddance. Maybe we got a clue about him with the entrance problems….thinking out loud.

SC is definitely beat up and their kids could be thinking an 0-12 team has no chance against them. We’ll see.

Jack

by T9ODawg on Sep 15, 2009 6:40 AM PDT reply actions

Whatever it was it...

…must have been serious.

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Sep 15, 2009 7:03 AM PDT reply actions

pre season this game was no chance

IMO, this and LSU were no way could we win, the other 10 were we had a chance. After seeing this team play and the advances they have made, we have a chance, a small one but better than than 1 month ago. GO DAWGS

by prrbrr on Sep 15, 2009 7:15 AM PDT reply actions

Mental Aspect

I think the mental part was the big issue. I think the LSU game really helped us that way. The Idaho game helped a bit more. Kids are going to work even harder now and keep getting better. That positive reinforcement is SOOOOOO important!

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Sep 15, 2009 7:18 AM PDT reply actions

I think we have a shot

A real bad Stanford team caught these guys by surprise a couple years ago so I am hanging my hat on that. We also had a chance to beat them two years in a row also before last years debacle. If we make the best of our opportunities in the redzone and don’t turn it over we have the ability to surprise.

by John Berkowitz on Sep 15, 2009 7:19 AM PDT reply actions

on that Stanford win..

I always thought a big reason Stanford was able to play it close and eventually win was all the injuries USC suffered against us the week before. They had 3 offensive linemen go out in that game if I remember it right. Then they play Stanford and Booty breaks his finger(?), has a terrible game, and the rest is history….. If we play them as tough this year as we did 2 years ago then I’d put money on a victory this time around.

We definitely have a shot in this one as USC’s offense looked far short of impressive against Ohio State. However, their defense is faster than LSU’s and it will be difficult for Polk and Locker to break any big runs. I don’t think play action will be good enough to draw in their safeties so we may need to use some trickery in this one.

by JoeinFW on Sep 15, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Get some!

With that freshman QB!

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Sep 15, 2009 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed Turnovers...

…are going to be huge!

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Sep 15, 2009 7:27 AM PDT reply actions

Turnovers will be keys to the game against USC

It will be the turnover magin again for the dawgs. If we are +2 in turnovers and score TD’s in the Red Zone…we will win

by bigdawgdaddy999 on Sep 15, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Do we stack the box and cheat up?

I think we need to force Barkley to beat us. Stop Mcknight and Stafon J from running wild. crowd needs to get into it and teach young Mr Barkley to learn not to audible. I expect Holt to send a LB, or a CB on a few plays. We need an " All I saw was purple" type game. No big mistakes on our part, have a plus 2 turnover margin and we come out with a big W. Sark’s signature win, something TW never had but could have if he didn’t screw it up at USC, Cal etc.

by prrbrr on Sep 15, 2009 7:30 AM PDT reply actions

That's my take too.

I think we have no choice. We might end up giving up a lot of points…but our best chance to create turnovers is with Barkley throwing it. Our offense is going to have to match them point for point and win the mental aspect of the game (less turnovers, less mistakes). Obviously, their defense is the best that we will see this year … but no one said it would be easy.

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Sep 15, 2009 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Stop the run

I think you stop the run and let the frosh do his best to beat you.

That being said USC is going to score its points on Saturday. The true question is whether they can stop Jake Locker if he gets a full head of steam going.

by John Berkowitz on Sep 15, 2009 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions

The development of Depth

I like the way Sark and Holt used players last Saturday. Developing depth with players. On Saturday aginst USC..it is going to be unreal.

by bigdawgdaddy999 on Sep 15, 2009 9:44 AM PDT reply actions

No Stanford TV explained

I like your empty stadium explanation of the Stanford game. This is after the stadium was downsized, when it was larger it hosted a Super Bowl. Yesterday it was reported that the ticket kickoff time would be wrong. Stanford students and fans are too dumb to figure out the new time? Wow, GED “students” can figure that out.

Meanwhile, we can’t watch the Dawgs on the road because Standford is embarrassed by the way their new improved football team fails to fill there new reduced size stadium. With logic like that, maybe Ty is working there again.

Sorry I was looking ahead on the schedule, I’m locked back on SC again…Go Dawgs.

by dawgdude on Sep 15, 2009 10:07 AM PDT reply actions

Since all the tickets for all the schools are printed months in advance that lame excuse has little validity.

by John Berkowitz on Sep 15, 2009 10:45 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Luckily I live close to stadium for closed circuit TV

… but I find it very frustrating that no reporter will call out the ’furd AD on that BS and get the real reason.

by mynameisdavid on Sep 15, 2009 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Looks like I will be listening on XM

If not XM then I have to pony up for the Husky Network and hook the computer up to the stereo which is a drag. Usually XM uses the home school’s announcers. Not sure I can stomach the Stanford broadcast team.

by John Berkowitz on Sep 15, 2009 11:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Try using the KJR website 4 or 5 hours before the game

Sometimes if you just leave it on you will continue to get the feed straight into the ISP broadcast.

by JoeinFW on Sep 15, 2009 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Matt Barkley....

does remind me somewhat of Todd Marinovich. The Wikipedia page on him is longer that pages on some pretty famous people, and the “biography” section notes that he was calling his own plays as a sophomore. Sounds like the robo- quarterback to me. So, yes prrbrr, I agree. We need an “All I Saw Was Purple” type game. I think we might get one.

MUSH YOU HUSKIES!!! GO DAWGS!!!

Expect to Win!!!

by OLDDOG on Sep 15, 2009 10:51 AM PDT reply actions

That is: a sophomore in high school.

Expect to Win!!!

by OLDDOG on Sep 15, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

Don’t forget ladies and gentlemen that Pete Carroll sees this USC/Washington game as a statement game. Carroll knows that we are going after his kids and Carroll doesn’t want to share the sugar with us or Ucla.

Bottom line is we need to look good in this game for recruiting purposes. For us to win, would require everything lining up perfectly. Do I think we can win? Heck yeah! Yet for recruiting purposes we need to look good in this game. Many recruits have this game circled as one of the final decision makers I’m quite sure.

If we come with what we came with vs. LSU- Look the [bleep] OUT!

Go Huskies! WOOF!!!

All I saw was purple

by crazidawg on Sep 15, 2009 7:11 PM PDT reply actions

Woodward

Sounds like we’ve got a cannon for an AD. I’m really warming up to him. He’s made some good moves since taking the job. But his biggest job is still out there. The rennovation of the stadium. But if we continue rebuilding the program, I’m quite sure funding for the stadium will be there.

Sounds like WSU is in a world of hurt during this economical downturn. Want to fire Paul Wulff? Nope can’t do it- can’t afford to fire him this early in his contract. And if the cougs keep dropping games as bad as they did at Quest, chances are coug fans might just stay home.

Scott buddy … you’re the MAN! WOOF!!!

All I saw was purple

by crazidawg on Sep 15, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions

Here's another kudo for Woodward...

…been a hardcore Husky fan for 19 years. Life long Husky by birth/family but embracing the team and program is different. I’ve lived in eastern Washington for the last 28 plus years. Husky fans on the east side of the mountains have been discriminated against. No coaches show broadcast over here. I emailed Woodward last season and stated my case. “Why should east side Huskies be shut out?” Cougs all over the state of Washington can hear/watch their coaches show? Husky fans on the westside can hear/watch their coaches show? So why are eastside Huskies discriminated against? Yeah, yeah I know, I realize our numbers are small but it still doesn’t make it right! So guess what?! For the first time in 19 years, I listened to my first local broadcast of Husky Talk with Coach Sark! WOODWARD is the man! I know he made it happen and I’m one thankful DAWGfan!

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Sep 15, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

We agree again, scary!!

I also really like what I’m seeing from Woodward. I was skeptical of Emmert after the whole Turner/Willingham debacle, and hiring a first time head coach didn’t help any. But the more I see of Sark and Woodward, the more I think we have the right people in place to rebuild this program and get us back on top where we belong. I love reading about Woodward calling out WSU’s AD and president, and now he’s calling out Stanford’s AD, I love watching a guy stick to his guns and not letting people push him around.

Woodward seems to be handling the stadium issue as well as possible, sounds like they are planning everything out ahead of time, so that once the money starts coming in, people start digging. My wife and I were watching Emmertt during the Idaho game, he was constantly coming up the stairs, grabbing boosters and taking them down to the field. Seemed like he was hard at work, doing his best to “work” the crowd (boosters).

"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"

by Lear Pilot on Sep 16, 2009 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions

I can't wait!

When Husky Stadium is finished and is the BEST stadium in the Pac-10, things are really going to explode!

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Sep 16, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey Everyone...First Post

I’ve been reading this blog for a bit and decide to throw in my two cents. I also read the Seattle Times blog and think Bob does a great job but there are too many trolls over there. This is a true Husky blog and I’ve been impressed with the knowledge of most of the posters here.

Here’s my take on Saturday: I expect a Husky win. No disrespect to anyone here but what true Husky fan wouldn’t expect them to win? Isn’t that why they play the game, to win? True, you don’t win them all, but to go into the game expecting a loss is guaranteeing one. That’s more so for the players, but the fans play a part too. I could never imagine going into a game, as a player or a fan, expecting to lose. That takes all the fun out of it. We all know this will be a huge upset, but isn’t that what college footbal is all about? We see major upsets every Saturday. Why would we expect any less of our Dawgs?

Sark has done everything right. We all know that. He’s going to put the Dawgs in a position to win, and I guarantee you he expects nothing less on Saturday. Why should we?

GO DAWGS!

by Fendawg on Sep 15, 2009 9:10 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks Fen!

I am a big fan of what Bob and everyone else does.

Think of this place as a comfortable living room where you can come and disuss the Huskies in a civilized manner.

by John Berkowitz on Sep 15, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Ditto on Bob

I often wonder where he finds the time…

by hairofthedawg on Sep 16, 2009 5:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Heard that before...

…I remember when Ty was getting ready to face ND the first time as the Huskies coach he said the same thing. That this was just another game on the schedule. But, as we all know, it was a lot more than that, to him and all others connected to both programs. Also when Gilby was getting ready to face Cal and when Ricky “The WeaseI” was going to face Colorado.
I agree with you John B. this game is important to Sark and Holt etc. just as I believe Pete C. wants to show he is still the man when he faces his ex-cordinators. It’s like big brother wants to let the younger brothers know he is still the big brother.
I also agree with the posts lining up what we need to do to win. It is within the realm of possibility if we play good, fundamental, mistake free football. I have been pleasantly suprised by the way the Huskie offense has carried themselves in the first two games. This team carries it’s self with more self esteem than under Ty’s leadership. They play ready. They play with more confidence and therefore with more crispness, especially on the offensive side.

Huskie football is fun again! and I love it!! GO DAWGS…

by Dawgs71 on Sep 15, 2009 10:44 PM PDT reply actions

They play with more confidence and therefore with more crispness, especially on the offensive side.

I think that could easily be said about the defense as well. I tend to think that the defense doesn’t have the personel to shut teams down the way they should, especially in the secondary. If we can bring in a good secondary class this year, things will be looking way up.

by B Money on Sep 16, 2009 2:38 AM PDT up reply actions

They look like a different team...

…they really do.

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Sep 16, 2009 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Husky football is fun again

You couldn’t be more right, just the fact that we have a chance at upsetting USC is making this week fun. Sark has done a great job in a short time. I could only imagine how much fun it would be to upset USC, here’s hoping!

"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"

by Lear Pilot on Sep 16, 2009 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions