Time to take out the patented "Purple Tinted Glasses" to take a look at the revised 2011 schedule and make some premature overly optimistic predictions. Keep in mind that none of us really have a clue of how well Washington will do until spring practice concludes.
Sept. 3 --- Eastern Washington...(W)...You have to circle it as a win even though it just may be a more challenging test than expected with UW breaking in a new QB and EWU coming off a national championship.
Sept. 10 --- Hawaii...(W)...The Warriors have a competitive program. They beat Washington a few years ago in Honolulu. UH has regressed since then while the Huskies have progressed. The Warriors have a rep for folding on the mainland. I take Washington in this one.
Sept. 17 --- at Nebraska...(L)...Rubber game of a three game series played within 12 months. I think the Cornhuskers will show up at home. Washington did beat this team a month ago but a little incentive and a change of venue is probably all Nebraska needs to win a close one.
Sept. 24 --- Cal...(W)...The Huskies seem to match up well with the Bears. I have to take the Huskies at home in this one. Honestly there is more talent on the Cal roster than the UW roster going into this one. Teford won't be able to take advantage of that until he finds a consistent QB. Have to go with UW.
Oct. 1 --- at Utah...(W)...The Ute's lost three of their last five games including a 26-3 bowl loss to Boise State. The Ute's are kind of an unknown. We aren't sure how good they are when they have to face a schedule like this. I think it is more of a toss up...but I take Washington.
Oct. 8 --- BYE
Oct. 15 --- Colorado...(W)...The Buffs are in total rebuild mode. This is a great game to come off a bye from. The schedule ratchets up a few notches in coming weeks. I expect win big.
Oct. 22 --- at Stanford...(L)...Stanford loses 15 starters and their head coach but QB Andrew Luck is back. I think this game will be closer than the past couple of years but at this point the nod has to go to the Cardinal.
Oct. 29 --- Arizona...(W)...The Wildcats return Foles but they are doing a major rebuild of both of their lines. The coaching staff also had a lot of attrition. Keep in mind these guys lost five in a row to finish last season.
Nov. 5 --- Oregon...(L)...I would love to predict a UW victory but Oregon still will definitely be the best team in the league next season. The game will be closer than recent years but I am taking the Ducks.
Nov. 12 --- at USC...(W)...We have knocked off the Trojans the last two years so why can't we do it again? Washington should have a seasoned QB by this time of the season. Interesting scheduling quirk has the Huskies playing at USC two years in a row.
Nov. 19 --- at Oregon State...(W)...I think we can handle these guys again. I don't think the Beavers have anyone that can step in and adequately replace Quizz. It will be a close game but I am taking UW at this point.
Nov. 26 --- Washington State...(W)...Expect the Cougars to pull a few surprises along the way. One surprise may be a 5-0 start. One surprise that won't happen is a win in the Apple Cup.
Missing --- UCLA and Arizona State
I don't mind missing the Sun Devils this year. I think they are going to explode next year and play in the Pac 10 championship game. I do mind missing UCLA because that match-up would be an automatic W.