Washington's 16-13 victory over California is being touted as one for the ages by the local media but in all truth it wasn't a pretty football game. Washington had the chance to put the game away in the second quarter but errors led them to trail 3-0 at halftime against a pretty inept Golden Bear team.
Jake Locker was the goat in this one up to the final drive of the game. Jake had a hand in three critical errors that could have delivered victory to California. An interception in the end zone thrown into double coverage, a sloppy hand off to Jessie Callier that led to a drive killing fumble, and a fumble of his own, his fifth of the season, returned for Cal's only touchdown.
With 4:39 left in the game, Jake Locker was in charge of his own destiny. He was going to go down as either the seasoned loser Sports Illustrated labeled him after the Nebraska loss or the first Husky QB to lead his team to a bowl game since 2002. We all know the story by now; Jake willed his squad down the field for the game winning TD using his legs and his arm.
Still up is Washington State in Pullman and four full quarters of football before a berth in a bowl game is secured. The heroics of this past weekend will be quickly erased if the Huskies don't beat the Cougars next Saturday. For Jake Locker and Washington to put all the demons to rest, they need to beat the Cougars and qualify for a bowl game on Saturday.
I have been saying for the last three weeks that this is a team of destiny. Not a conference championship type of destiny, but the destiny to shut the door on the sadness of the past enough to build a bright future for the program going forward. The Huskies need to turn that corner on Saturday in Pullman so this much-maligned group can exit with their heads up knowing that they were the one's who pointed the future in the right direction and got the ball rolling.
Pac 10 Power Ratings
1. Oregon...A very impressive win over a good Arizona team this past weekend. Up this week are the Beavers in Corvallis. The ESPN Game Day crew travels to the Willamette Valley for this show down. Next Up: @ OSU
2. Stanford...The season is over for the Cardinal and if they don't get a BCS bid they only have their lukewarm fans to thank for it. Next Up: Bowl Game TBD
3. Arizona...The Alamo or Holiday is a good reward for Stoops and his team but they have to get by a tough ASU squad to make that one a reality. Next Up: ASU
4. Washington...The Huskies enter the Apple Cup 4-4 in conference play. A win over WSU sends them to a very good bowl game. A loss would be a severe disappointment. Next Up: @ WSU
5. USC...The Trojans had no business losing at home to Notre Dame but they did because the Irish wanted it a little bit more. Perhaps they will have more motivation against the Bruins. Next up: @ UCLA
6. Oregon State...Only one team can stop the Ducks on their march to the national championship game and it is the resurgent Beavers. Anything can happen in the Civil War, which is why Game Day will be present. Next Up: Oregon
7. Arizona State...A .500 record is in reach if they can upset cross state rival Arizona. Next Up: @ Arizona
8. California...The Huskies knock off Cal to end the season for the second year in a row. Next Up: Roasting Chestnuts
9. UCLA...At first it looked like Neu had enough magic left to keep his team alive another week but they weren't able to stop a lethargic Devil offense. Beating the Trojans this week would help an embattled coaching staff. Next Up: USC
10. WSU...The Cougars are playing one more game for respect, the job of their head coach, and the beauty of knocking UW out of a bowl game. Next U : UW