Washington at BYU Game Preview
by John Berkowitz on Sep 3, 2010 7:00 AM PDT
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PrintWhen Washington has the ball:
Clearly, everyone will be focusing on Jake Locker, but look for Chris Polk to take over this game. Polk ran for 1100 yards last season behind an offensive line that was far less than stellar. When the Huskies are in the red zone, Locker will be in control. The coaching staff thinks Jake is capable of completing 65% of his passes this season. Having a trio of receivers like Kearse, Aguilar, and Johnson will certainly help him attain that goal.
Washington was 3-0 last season when Jake exceeded 70 yards in rushing. Expect him to carry the ball 10-12 times against BYU's 3-4 defense. BYU has replaced most of its front seven and will depend on veterans DE Vic So'to, LB Jameson Frazier, and S Adam Rich to keep Locker and company under control. Expect BYU to play the Huskies straight-up (rather than attacking) in the effort to keep Jake in the pocket.
When BYU has the ball:
Gone from last season's powerful attack are the Cougars' top passer, rusher, tight end, and receiver. The big story of the off-season was who would step in at quarterback, and it looks like dual-threat Riley Nelson and highly touted freshman Jake Heaps will both play.
Nelson is good enough of an athlete to line up anywhere and the Huskies have been focusing on that in practice to avoid the trick-big play. McKay Jacobson, who's averaged 22 YPC in his career, and O'Neil Chambers are the primary targets Nelson and Heaps will be looking for.
At running back, expect several players to get carries, with former Washington recruiting targets JJ DiLuigi and Josh Quezeda getting most of the work.
The key match-up of the game figures to be the BYU offensive line, averaging 6'5", 312 pounds, facing a Husky front four that is solid inside but has some question marks out on the ends.
Defensively, the Huskies made progress under DC Nick Holt last season but still gave up 390 yards per game. The staff would like to cut around 125 yards off that total in 2010. Washington has a seasoned and deep secondary, which will crowd the box and force the BYU QB's to beat them. The key for BYU is to establish a strong running game and control the tempo which will take a bunch of pressure off their young quarterbacks.
Special Teams:
Both teams return consistent kickers and punters. The 4,700+ foot elevation will allow for some long kicks that may negate the kickoff return game. Both teams are looking for a player that is a threat to take the ball to the end zone on every kick.
Position Matchups:
Quarterback: Washington
Running Backs: Washington
Receivers: Washington
Offensive Line: BYU
Defensive Line: Even
Linebackers: Washington
Defensive Backs: Washington
Special Teams : Even
Steve Sarkisian quote:
"That's just something that teams do when you have somebody that is that athletic like Riley that could easily go play receiver, he's that good of an athlete, that could potentially pose some problems for a defense if you are not prepared for it. And they do so many quarterback runs with him that Jake Heaps could easily line up at wide receiver and he could run their quarterback run stuff. So we won't be surprised if it occurs.''
Bronco Mendenhall quote:
"First, doing our best to control Jake Locker. Second, we have to win field position through special teams. We have a youthful team, and if we don't control field position, we might not be capable...of managing points on either side. And third, we need to plan accordingly for our young quarterbacks..and put them in positions that they're capable of handling with the decisions and plays that give them their best chance to perform."
Factoids
BYU brings back only 4 starters on defense.
BYU lost all three linebackers from last year and will have to rely on some freshmen players.
For the first time in two decades, the entire Husky football coaching staff returns intact for 2010.
Husky head coach Steve Sarkisian was the Cougars starting quarterback in 1995 and 1996.
The Huskies went 5-7 overall and 4-5 in the Pac-10 last season.
BYU went 11-2 overall and 7-1 in the Mountain West.
Washington is 81-33-6 all-time in season openers, good for a mark of .700.
Washington leads BYU 4-3 in the overall series.
BYU won the last meeting in 2008 28-27 at Husky Stadium.
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Husky Stadium Flyover Video and...
…pics. Did you guys check those out? aWesome! GO DAWGS!!
It seems a bit different than the previous renderings but still looks wonderful.
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
Awesome is point on
Now to make it a reality. Has Dr. Emmert signed off on the final go yet, really need to get this done before he leaves.
Straight up
Thats how I think we play too. I doubt BYU will have an answer to JLs increased accuracy and sitting back will allow him just that much more time to pick them apart. I think C Polk is going to give them fits and by the second half they won’t know where we are attacking them from.
On Defense, we may need to gamble early and confuse their inexperienced QBs with different looks and disguised blitzes. If we can get ahead by two TDs in second half, then we can just aim and fire at the QBs and let the other Jake view the setting sun in Provo on his back. The second coming of “all I saw was purple”
14+ Seems Way Too High
Purple-tinted glasses and purple kool-aid aside, let’s remember that:
1. We haven’t won on the road since November, 2007
2. BYU is a brutal place to play in the best of conditions, let alone when it will be over 90 degrees at gametime and in the thin air of Provo
3. Yes, they lost a lot of talent to the NFL after 2009, but when they’re re-stocking with 23+ year-olds returning from missions, it’s a whole lot different than filling in with 18 year-olds three months removed from their senior prom.
I’ll take a 1 point win, and as long as it’s a W for the Dawgs, I’m happy!
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions
I stand by my prediction...
The BYU team we faced 2 years ago was a much better team then the one we’ll face tomorrow. And I believe our team will be much better then the one BYU faced 2 years ago.
1) The streak has to come to end some time.
2) Thin air is more media hype – Provo isn’t the top of Mt. Everest and if it’s 90º BYU will have to play in it also and I like our depth at most positions better.
3) Kids comming back from missions have been out of football for two years. I see that as a plus for us not an advantage for them
For my part
I agree with your first paragraph and point #1; I think you’re wrong on #2 and #3 (though #3 isn’t necessarily a plus for them either); and I’m figuring this game looks a lot like last night’s Pitt-Utah game. I think it will go our way in the end, but BYU will spend most of it in shooting range.
by The Ancient Mariner on Sep 3, 2010 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Not to nitpick, but...
On the thin air stuff, the idea of it being just media hype is BS…I have first hand knowledge of playing championship-level sports in a mile-high environment when the body is accustomed to sea-level. The recovery from play to play is slower, and it wears on you over the course of several hours…no, it isn’t Mt. Everest, but if you’ve never competed hard at altitude, all I can say is you can’t relate. 90 degrees is also a big deal when you’re not acclimated. It’s a good thing we have the depth you speak of, because we’re going to need it.
As far as the kids coming back from missions and 2-4 years older than their opponents, and a significant number of them being married with kids, let me just say that the physical and mental make-up of a married 23-24-25 year-old in Provo, UT is a whole lot different than an 18 year-old from anywhere who’s away from home for the first time in his life. You think Bronco Mendenhall is getting very many 2 AM phone calls about a running back stealing a cab after leaving a tittie bar or a star linebacker busting his wrist, um, er, arm-wrestling? Who do you think is better prepared to deal with the stress of being down a TD in the 4th quarter, a 19 year old kid living in a frat house or a 24 year-old man who spent two years living on his own in South Korea on a mission and whose greatest stress is getting up at 3 AM to change a diaper?
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions
For you it may be an issue but for well trained elite atheletes it’s more hype then substance. They’re bodies are trained to use oxgen more efficiently especially with the way Ivan Lewis has constructed their workout.
Your mission arguement is rediculous at best.
Um, sure...OK...you da' man
I’ll defer to your (cough…) authority on preparation for elite athletics in extreme conditions. You’re clearly, er, um, a reigning expert on the topic and well-read on preparation thereof. Silly me…why else would Sark himself have addressed last week? Good thing Sark has you on staff to advise him…he’s probably sleeping better knowing he has you on board.
Furthermore, your expertise on my “rediculous” “arguement” and your own “arguement” knowledge clearly exceeds my own research, and though my “arguement” was based on statements both a former BYU Head Coach (Gary Crowton, 2003) and an opposing head coach (Chan Gailey, Georgia Tech), I defer to your own “arguement”, as it is much more convincing that those other experts. Clearly, I’m a “rediculous” guy.
Got spell-check?
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
If you knew anything about me or my training experience you’d probably feel a little emabarrassed right about now.
If you can’t see how rediculous your mission argument was I can’t help you.
A spelling flame…really? How old are you, 10?
it's 'ridiculous'
I have no comment on the elevation argument, but please, for the love of pete, the work is spelled “ridiculous”.
work? LOL
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Sep 3, 2010 12:00 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
ironic, yes
I go all grammar-nazi and then make a typo. Damn the SB Nation boards and the inability to edit posts…
I’ll admit I have a major pet peeve against certain common grammar mistakes – misspellings of ridiculous, dominant, mixing up their/there/they’re, apostrophe abuse.
by kirkd on Sep 3, 2010 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’ll admit I have a major pet peeve against certain common grammar mistakes – misspellings of ridiculous, dominant, mixing up their/there/they’re, apostrophe abuse.
Couldn’t agree more. On all counts.
Me, too...
But I guess you figured that one out already!
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions
For the longest time...
…I could not get “then and than”. It seems ridiculous now but I finally programmed myself.
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
I read your thread...
…it seems to me both of you are taking your points to extremes.
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
Embarrassed? No
One, why would I care about your training experience? If you haven’t had “oxgen” issues, I’m again a “rediculous” guy. With apologies to your training regimen Mr. Lance Armstrong, I’m not “emabarrassed” right now
Two, as noted, I based my Chan Gailey and Gary Crowton on the mission “arguements” (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/football/ncaa/08/26/bc.fbc.gatech.experienc.ap/index.html). You obviously have more knowledge that a couple of schmucks who’ve been college head coaches with NFL experience. One might be well-advised to do a modicum of research before making a publicly demonstrating a lack of knowledge. Sorry, modicum is probably an advanced term; I’ll help you out, Einstein: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS332&defl=en&q=define:modicum&sa=X&ei=Hk6BTOzpMoX2swPo7Kj3Bw&ved=0CBIQkAE
Finally, no, not 10 years old. 44 to be exact. 44 and former high school language arts teacher with a M.Ed. in School Administration and a disdain (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS332&q=define%3Adisdain&btnG=Search) for adults who can’t spell “cat”, even when spotted the C and the A. Is 7-11 no longer paying for spell-check on their back-room computers, Lance?
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
This is great!
Glad to know Crazi and I aren’t the only ones to butt heads on the blog.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
It's all good.
We all have our moments. After Saturday we’ll have some a lot of good stuff to chat about, we can finally argue about a game and results!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I hope the grammar police will show me mercy . . .
meant to say, "After Saturday we’ll have a lot of good stuff . . . . "
Don’t you just hate it when you change your sentence half way through it and don’t catch that one word you meant to delete.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
MIne ARE proud
Course, I wasn’t walking around with the ol’ chest puffed up saying “If you knew anything about me or my training experience you’d probably feel a little emabarrassed right about now”, like someone else around here, Lance.
How are the Slurpees selling today, Mr. Armstrong?
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Lear, I don't actually think of this as "butting heads"...
Rather, I’m just enjoying the heck out of throwing down the bait and watching Lance here taking it over and over and over again. I’ve been busting up all afternoon envisioning the smoke coming off Lance’s keyboard. “GRRRRRR! If it’s the last thing I do, I’m gonna’ get that Purple Reign 91 internet tough guy!”
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm just glad it isn't me and Crazi.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Purple Reign 91
Just curious, what’s your call in this game?
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
Never Mind...
…I just read your prediction above.
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
Dawgfan22
I’ve been listening to Hugh Millen, Ted Miller, and Dick Baird all week and after those three have weighed in, I think it’s going to be a ball-buster of a game. High scoring…the over-under as of Tuesday night was 56.5, and I’d take the over in a heartbeat. I really wouldn’t be surprised to see it come down to a field goal in the final two minutes from one side or the other, and should this be the case, I’m awfully comfortable having Erik Folk in our corner.
That said, I think we’ll win by a TD. While I like our starting front seven on defense—and I believe that should they stay healthy, they’ll surprise a ton of people this season—in a game where other “conditions” will factor in (despite what Lance Armstrong says above), I don’t believe we have the depth in the front seven to stop BYU all day long. I do, however, look for Elisara and Chrichton to have breakout games and come up with at least one key stop at money-time to preserve the win. My call: UW 37 BYU 30
Your thoughts?
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions
You make a pretty strong case...
…persuasive, if you know what I mean. My gut tells me “Locker is going to go off” in this game. To me, I can see a scenario where the UW offense rolls. The question mark for me is what is the UW defense going to do? If they stay out on the field and get dinked and dunked by the BYU passing game then it will be a shootout. The result, in that case will probably be just as you said. If the UW defense steps up and gets BYU off the field several times, I can see us winning by a couple of TDs.
I definitely don’t like the fact that we’re playing at BYU, at altitude and at 90 degrees. Those factors favor BYU.
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
Sno Man
I trained in the Puget Sound area and went back to play football in a mile high type of environment. It took 2-3 weeks for me to make the adjustment. Ask anyone who comes from the Seattle area to play in the Big Sky Conference and they will tell you the same thing.
By the way….Purple Reign 91is a well trained elite athlete.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 3, 2010 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Done it many times myself John. One of my best friends lives on Lake Tahoe and we’ve took many run up to Virginia City. For me and the many that I’ve trained with we don’t find it all that big of a factor. For an elite, well prepared athelete it is no big deal.
We're Dealing With Greatness, John
I’m “emabarrassed” to have not seen it coming and am taking copious notes. As soon as I’m done copying down Lance’s resume, I’m going to run down to Office Depot and get myself a supply of Sharpies…his autograph is bound to be worth big money on eBay. How “rediculous” of me not to have seen it coming…must be the “oxgen” depravation from which I’ve been suffering.
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Ouch!
I’m keeping score guys. I’d call it Purple Reign 4 and Sonstrebla 1. That’s just my take though, I could be wrong, I’ve been wrong once or twice before.
What do you say we end the contest now or Snostrebla could be “run ruled” out of this. LOL!
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
Good Call Dawgfan22
But it sure was fun while it lasted!
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
The Kenyans
The vast majority of Kenya’s brightest running stars were born and raised at high altitude. Running at higher elevations builds greater lung capacity, because athletes grow accustomed to the thinner air. Many of the finest runners, for example, hail from the hilly region surrounding Eldoret, about 7,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 3, 2010 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Just saying…. ; )
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 3, 2010 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions
man coverage, eight in the box
When Riley is in. He is not a downfield passer and we should contain LOS in this situation. I hope they keep him in for the 1st half and we go in with a lead.
In the second half they put in Heaps. That is when he gets to meet Mr. Foster.
There should not be much breeze and that works for Folk.
They lose a high amount of games when held under 24 points.
I just don’t think this is a wide open game unless Heaps gets really hot. It will be as physical as any game this year imo.
Our special teams should really breakout. We have a lot of speed and the kids will want to impress.
Am in the Spokane airport now waiting for my SLC flight. There is a smattering of purple.
This has been a long time coming. Talked to Jake’s roommate yesterday and he and the team are prepared and focused.
GO DAWGS!
by PandG on Sep 3, 2010 11:18 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Position-by-position breakdowns aren't of much value,
since the UW’s o-line isn’t on the field at the same time as BYU’s, etc.
UW’s o-line vs. BYU’s d-line: UW (due to BYU’s inexperience)
UW’s d-line vs. BYU’s o-line: BYU
UW’s backs vs. BYU’s linebackers: UW
UW’s receivers vs. BYU’s secondary: UW
UW’s linebackers vs. BYU’s backs: UW (but only because BYU’s QB situation is so unsettled)
UW’s secondary vs. BYU’s recievers: push
Special teams are essentially a push across the board.
The first two measures (the trenches) are the most critical, and can go a long way toward negating advantages the other team might have at other positions. Both offenses should be able to move the ball, and both defenses will likely be playing catch-up.
UW’s offensive line isn’t great, but should control the line of scrimmage enough that the UW can run the ball. BYU’s offensive line is big and strong, and unless UW can get spectacular push up the middle, BYU should be able to run the ball effectively enough to keep Nelson and Heaps from having to win the game on their own.
Owning third down on both sides of the ball is key to both teams. The team that wins will win the third down battle, and the takeaway battle. The Dawgs have greater big-play potential on offense, and it’s about a push on defense.
UW’s offensive line isn’t great, but should control the line of scrimmage enough that the UW can run the ball. BYU’s offensive line is big and strong, and unless UW can get spectacular push up the middle, BYU should be able to run the ball effectively enough to keep Nelson and Heaps from having to win the game on their own.
I’m optimistic that all the hype about Ta’amu’s offseason improvements hold true, and that he, Elisara, Tokolahi and Robinson can effectively stuff the middle of the LOS. My concern is at the edges, though I don’t think the BYU RB group is known for their speed.
I’m also concerned about our LB depth. Given the conditions, I would think Holt would prefer to be able to rotate guys, but who does he trust to play behind Foster and Dennison?
I’m optimistic that all the hype about Ta’amu’s offseason improvements hold true, and that he, Elisara, Tokolahi and Robinson can effectively stuff the middle of the LOS. My concern is at the edges, though I don’t think the BYU RB group is known for their speed.
That’s what I mean. Unless the Dawgs can shut down the BYU’s running game by collapsing the middle, by being so completely dominant that the Cougars can barely make the QB/RB exchange without at UW DT draped around their waists, BYU is going to be able to get to the edge, and is going to be able to get to the cutback zone.
I definitely share your concern about the LB depth. Gilliland will be giving up more than 100 pounds to any offensive lineman that he has to engage. I do like Wallace; he’s active and athletic, but again, smallish. And not a ton of experience. Quite simply, there are too many true freshmen in the LB “depth” for my liking.
Well, Ta’amu didn’t have a dominating game by any stretch. The run defense wasn’t awful, but I’d say BYU won the LOS on both sides of the ball – while Polk looked pretty good, we didn’t get consistent push up front and Sark didn’t seem to have a ton of confidence in the run game to produce. And late in the game when he did call up some runs, we didn’t get the job done.
Unfortunately you were right about the pass rush – none at all from our ends. And our blitzes continued to be entirely ineffective and we got burned on that TD pass to DiLuigi when our zone coverage was blown behind the blitz.
Still, this was a game we could have won had we not made so many stupid, unforced errors:
- Ducre roughing the kicker;
- Lopez snapping the ball way over the head of Mahan;
- Polk slipping on one KO return, badly misplaying the kick on another;
- Trufant badly misplaying a long pass – he obviously never saw the ball, as he broke away from the pass and towards the WR for a silly PI call; if he’d seen the ball, he could have had an easy pick;
Mahan had a bad game punting, shanking quite a few and kicking into the end zone on others.
Locker was decent, but made a few important mistakes:
- On the 4th and 2 to start the 4th quarter, he panicked when C. Polk was initially covered on the rollout and throw the long, low-percentage pass to Kearse that was incomplete; if he’d shown another moment of patience he would have seen Polk slip behind the LB, and a gentle lob over the LB to Polk would have resulted in a 1st down with plenty of yards to spare;
- On that last 4th and 7, Locker didn’t even attempt to read the field, forcing a low line-drive pass to a double-covered Izbicki that was easily batted at the LOS;
Some questionable calls by the zebras too – that 3rd down conversion in the 2nd quarter by Nelson was a product of a incredibly generous spot. They missed a number of holding calls on the BYU OL. And there was another PI call, I think against Richardson, that was highly questionable.
BYU seemed like a decent team, but this was a game we should have won. We still have a ways to go to be the team we want to see. Nobody really stepped up in the 2nd half to win the game for us, and way too many mistakes earlier in the game when we should have been rolling up a bigger lead.
Gotta get back to the drawing board and have a much better showing next week vs. Syracuse. I’m not giving up on the upset against Nebraska, but we’ve got a LOT of work to do to get there.
more Football
Scott van Pelt just predicted that Akey will be WSU’s coach next year. Idaho won 45-0 last night.
Utah got a nice win, but were not as impressive as I expected.
USC D…whaaaa? But, no doubt, Barkley was outrageously good.
Lattimer of SCAR- you can just see the oozing talent.
Last night was beautiful.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Sep 3, 2010 11:33 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
Watching USC last night
Made me think more about Havili and the huge waepon he is. He ran that wheel route and caught (a very well placed) ball about 25 yards downfield.
Terrific blocker, above average runner, best receiving FB…he might be the most underrated player in CFB.
by B Money on Sep 3, 2010 1:22 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
USC at Hawaii
Neither team really impressed me last night. Hawaii was really sloppy and Sc took advantage of it.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 3, 2010 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't watch the whole game
But Ausberry’s TD reception impressed me. The guys a load @ 6’3’’ 230lbs
USC continues to roll out physically impressive players at nearly every position. Their WR group looks really good between Johnson, Woods, Ausberry, Butler and Ambles.
Tyler was impressive. He showed great patience and vision in waiting for his blocks to set up in front of him. Not a blazer and not necessarily a thumper, but a good all-around back. Bradford looks good too, and if Baxter is half as good as the hype on him from off-season practices, he should bust out a few long TD runs behind that line.
Barkley looked really good. And I have to admit, I seriously doubt UW wins that game last year against the Trojans if Barkley is at QB…
maybe not,
But Barkley was slinging it with authority last night in a way that I never saw last season. He was throwing ropes out there and was always one step ahead of that thing that Hawaii calls “Dee”
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Sep 3, 2010 4:58 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
U$C set the bar high
about chin high on the QB
I hope the Dawgs are wearing all white.
I love this look.
Semper Fi'
WatchKalibRun.com
Pain don't hurt...
For the Seahawks fans out there...
Does this shot of Jake at the Seahawks’ training facility make anyone else drool at the idea of him practicing there every day, albeit wearing Blue and Grey? I suppose that means the Hawks would have to tank the season to get the #1 pick, but to get another 10-15 years of watching Jake here in Seattle, short-term pain for long-term gain!
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions
That would be awesome
I wouldn’t put it past the Seahawks to suck enough this year to again be near the top of the draft pool.
Unfortunately,
I agree, I’m not expecting much from the Hawks this year.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
My bad...
I think of that base, light color as grey, but I guess the correct color is “Seahawk Blue”. Good call Rollo.
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Could be worse
See Eugene, Oregon for examples of the WORST possible uniforms in the history of mankind.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I love the green unis, I realize I'm in the minority on that one.
Semper Fi'
WatchKalibRun.com
Pain don't hurt...
As awesome as it would be to see Jake continue to play in Seattle
I want them to win every game they can.
The way that they’ve been playing thus far and the moves that they’ve made, they may yet still finish in the top 10 in the draft, but I doubt that they will have a top 3 pick, which, at this point, is likely where Locker will be drafted.
Golden!
by Carl Shinyama on Sep 3, 2010 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
I think the all-white is our best road look, but then again, I catch a lot of crap for liking Penn State’s road uniforms, too.
I was talking with a buddy of mine who was a walk-on from 1981-85 and spent four years getting his head bashed in running the scout team’s QB. Anyway, he was telling me that the “old-time” guys from his era aren’t fans of the all-white…that they prefer the gold pants for away games
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m not a big fan of the all-white combo. To me, it minimizes our main color: purple. It’s why I like having the purple pants for the away uniforms. I thought that was a great move DJ made; what was that, 1989?
But then again, if the all-white look is considered “cool” by the young kids Sark is recruiting, then I guess I can live with it…
i like the all white
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Sep 3, 2010 5:01 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I like it too
I didn’t think I would but I do. They need to get the purple pants the right color. I saw a picture of a 1990 away game with Charles Mincy, totally different purple. Darker and had a shine to it.
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
I'd be a fan of purple pants if...
They were the same style as the yellow and the white pants, with the stripes down the legs. Can’t figure out why the uniforms were updated in every respect except for the purple pants. I may have even—gulp!—gone for Lambo’s purple helmets if they had the stripes over the top/down the middle (as well as the true logo W rather than that goofy tall and skinny W thing).
by Purple Reign 91 on Sep 3, 2010 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I actually dislike the stripe
For whatever reason the solid color appeals more to me.
To each their own I guess…
Yes! That W...
…sucked! My buddy is a Tennessee fan and he even said that immediately upon seeing those hideous purple helmets. I was wondering if Babs just had the equipment manager go down to the local hardware store to get what he needed for the transition!? Nice….NOT!
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
John, I agree with your position breakdowns, except for secondary. Rich is pretty solid for BYU, and I like their corners. I think they might have a slight edge there. Also, this isn’t about you necessarily but I always hate it when people say “Washington is 3-0 when Locker rushes for 70.” We could just as easily say 60, or 75. Anyway, sorry for nitpicking. Very good preview.
Browny
I hear what you are saying but I believe that UW has the edge in the secondary. Rich is solid but would he be able to beat out Nate Williams?
Food for thought.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 3, 2010 1:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Rich is solid but would he be able to beat out Nate Williams?
This may be heresy on a Husky board, but I’ve been underwhelmed by Nate so far in his career. Willing as a big hitter in run support, but often injured when making those big hits; not the greatest in coverage; doesn’t always take good routes to the ball.
The fact that he’s held on to his starting job should tell me something, and hopefully his conditioning and strength are better now and year two of Holt’s system is more ingrained in him, but I’m hoping to see more out of him this season.
I agree with both paragraphs….thing is the coaches think he is pretty special and they think he is going to have a great year.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 3, 2010 2:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I hope so
Really seems like the secondary has rather quickly gone from a major liability to possibly a significant strength. I also like the young guys we have in the pipeline on the DL. I’m less confident in the young group at LB, and I’m even more concerned that they’ll be pressed into duty early out of necessity. I guess I’m still stuck on the physical specimens that Holt had at USC and am not used to these safety-sized guys they’re bringing in. I miss the days of the big, 240-250 lb thumper at MIK.
But then again, faster and quicker linebackers are probably the best way to combat the various spread offenses in vogue. And if anyone can correctly bulk up these guys without them losing their speed, Ivan can. I just wish Gilliland, Burnett and Pelluer had the luxury of redshirting and getting a year of development under their belts before playing. I’m worried about them getting hurt this season and it stunting their development…
i think that Nate has been over-exposed...
… To tough situations given how epically this bad this defense has been recently. This taints your perception, I think
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
by Gekko Mojo on Sep 3, 2010 5:04 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I miss the days of the big, 240-250 lb thumper at MIK.
The UW has never really had a guy like this at middle linebacker. Dave Hoffman was in the 230’s as a senior. Chico Fraley struggled to get to even 220. Hillary Butler was a bit bigger (might’ve hit 250 as a senior, but I don’t think so).
The biggest middle linebackers the UW has had have never been the most productive.
I completely understand your sentiment about injury and forcing the young guys in too soon, but really, the best linebackers at the UW have always played with the best d-lines. The Dawgs have never had the “greek god” types at linebacker that places like USC has had.
Towns was near 250, and I believe Butler was pushing 240 last year. Foster is supposedly 240 this year, though not playing MIK.
Hoffman was a bit undersized at 225, but Clifford was a thumper at 235-240. Before that, we’re getting back into an age when everyone was a bit smaller by today’s standards, though I think Stewart was pretty big for the times at 230 or so, and Jerue I believe played his last season or two at MLB and he was in the 230-240 range.
But yeah, the Huskies have not consistently had those prototype really big middle linebackers. Certainly not like the specimens USC has been rolling out.
I'd love to have a stud at MIK
225 or 250, doesn’t matter to me as long as they can cover ground quickly
Whether you meant to or not, you just summarized the difference between
middle linebackers today and 20 years ago. Back then, you wanted a guy that could beat the block of a guard or fullback and make a tackle. Now, that guy has to play sideline-to-sidline. Speed is the prerequisite for the position ahead of size.
by Sundodger on Sep 3, 2010 7:39 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Most of the guys you mention were made to be that big.
They didn’t come in at that size.
I think the biggest difference between then and now is that back then, you didn’t hear about any of those guys even being mentioned during their true freshman seasons. It was a given they’d redshirt. They were almost completely anonymous for two years or so.
Better start the season quick
Now the fans are barking at each other like the O and D after practicing against each other too long. The Huskies are en route to SLC/Provo and the altitude won’t change between and game time on Saturday. The coaches have either prepared them well or poorly, but its done! Tomorrow night we will know what kind of team we have.
And in other news Gerald Masoli will play this year. Apparently the NCAA got his message that they should do the right thing. Don’t want to start a fight with the ducks, but how would Masoli know what the right thing is? Strange territory.
I’m ready, I hope you are too. Thanks for all the preseason hype and info, John.
Great analogy
Fans barking at each other just like the players, where are the Oregon fans when you need someone to punch, oops . . . . I mean someone to bark at!
Masoli wouldn’t know the “right thing” if he stole it, smoked it, lied about it or punched it.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Great Line!
Masoli wouldn’t know the "right thing" if he stole it, smoked it, lied about it or punched it.
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
Barking fans
I love it…it is timed to get fired up and hit somebody!
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 3, 2010 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions
the whole altitude thing is a pretty fair advantage.
it took a couple weeks for our sea level athletes to get up to par with the lack of air here. And we train 10 miles from BYU. Then again Florida State didn’t have a problem with it last year. BYU’s corners aren’t the best, and I clearly remember one of my best friends complaining about them every single week last year.
Wait and see!!
Does anyone here really think that BYU is capable of beating the DAWGS?? They are returning to glory with the best college quarterback Jake Locker, who i went to high school with and played with for three years. Ive seen what he can do and what he is capable of. Throw in Chris Polk and Jermaine Kearse and there is no chance in hell the inexperienced BYU team is even going to stand a chance. Wait and see!!!
by Shane Honeycutt on Sep 4, 2010 10:19 AM PDT reply actions
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