I am out on vacation this week and you know what that means...not as many entries as usual even though I will be keeping an eye open in case anything happens out of the ordinary.
One thing that could happen is word on where the three recently released UCLA recruits are going to attend school this year. Camps will be opening up the first week of August so if those kids plan to do anything other than going the JC route this fall we should see some sort of an announcement at the end of the week. Washington by my count has 84 spots occupied at the moment which would mean they have room for one more if they wish.
We should be hearing some feedback this week on the Husky Stadium remodel. If memory serves me correctly the proposals should have been submitted by July 15th. AD Scott Woodward said they are trying to get as creative as possible in putting it together. It is going to be interesting to see what they come up with and most importantly what the price tag will be.
Softy's Seat of the Week
I can't imagine anyone out there that understands sitting better than Dave "Softy" Mahler. He is hosting a unique series on the official Washington site on his favorites seats in Husky Stadium. The point of it of course is to sell more season tickets.
Dave "Softy" Mahler is back again this week touring the best available seats in Husky Stadium for the 2010 Football season. This week, the spotlight is on Section 11: Row O: Seats 6-13. Contact the Husky Ticket Office at 206-543-2200 or log onto GoHuskies.com to purchase tickets. Tickets are going fast... Don't miss out and get your season tickets today!
Colorado Scheduling
One reason I really like the addition of Colorado to the conference is their scheduling philosophy. The Buffaloes take on all comers.
No one schedules better nonconference games—year in and year out—than Colorado. This decade alone, CU has played Florida State three times, USC, UCLA, Arizona State, West Virginia and Washington State twice each, and Miami, Washington and Georgia. The Buffs have Georgia and Cal as BCS games this fall.
Locker makes O'Brien List.
The Davey O'Brien Foundation announced the 2010 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Watch List on Wednesday, and among the 30 student-athletes included was Washington senior Jake Locker.
Big Weekend
Steve Sarkisian reserved one of his biggest recruiting weekends of last year for the LSU game. He is treating the Nebraska game the same way this season. Four of the most sought over recruits in the West have already signed up for the prime time visit -CB DeAnthony Thomas, DT Antwaun Woods, DT Viliami Moala, and S James Sample. Expect the Huskies to add a few more top rated California players to the list and also invite a number of local kids for unofficial visits that weekend.
RB Deontae Cooper and LB Victor Burnett were guests during last years LSU game who ended up committing to Washington. James Sample is the most likely player in the 2010 group to commit to Washington. Woods and Thomas are soft verbals to USC. Moala who is the top DT on the coast goes to the same HS as Sample.
Sark vs Kiffin
The OC Register ran its pre season preview on Washington last Friday.
If USC’s first four opponents lacked some sizzle, that’s about to change. USC-UW means Sark vs. Kif, Locker vs. Barkley, Trojans vs. the Ghosts of Pac-10 Upsets Past, and more.
This will be the Trojans’ first stern test, but I don’t see them losing it. The Huskies won’t have their raucous home crowd this time, nor will they be facing a first-time starting quarterback (unless something goes terribly, terribly wrong between now and October).
The Sporting News ran an article on four traditional powers who are ready to return to the spotlight...Washington, Nebraska, Miami, and Florida State.
Ten years ago, the final Associated Press poll had Miami at No. 2, Washington at No. 3, Florida State No. 5 and Nebraska No. 8. Since then, those schools have combined for just four more top 10 finishes. And eight coaching changes. Those four teams owned the 1990s, combining for seven national titles in the decade.Hiring coach Steve Sarkisian before last season gave Washington more than a proven offensive coordinator and ace recruiter. Somehow, he has the team believing it can contend for a Pac-10 title this year. And he's not bashful about sharing the sentiment. "I wouldn't be surprised if we're in the hunt for the championship with two games remaining," Sarkisian says. "It's as even as it's been in this league in the last 10 years."
Just 10 years ago Washington was a national championship contender. The fall was fast and steep. Three times in the past seven seasons, the Huskies won two or fewer games, and they haven’t managed a winning record in that span. But all indications point to the Huskies ending that drought. Locker, Polk and Kearse are among the most productive offensive trios in the country. Defensively, the Huskies need to improve on pass coverage and the pass rush. If strides are made in those areas, the Huskies could be a factor in the Pac-10 championship race.
Washington’s success this year hinges on the ability of the offensive and defensive lines. Though the offensive line returns four starters and many of the back-ups have game experience this is far from a reliable group (see short yardage situations at Notre Dame). The defensive line also has considerable experience but does not boast a lot of confidence considering the starting ends are overcoming serious injuries.