A couple days ago I posted my thoughts on BYU’s quest for perfection. For the record, because I’ve mulled it over and done some heavy research on the subject (contrary to someone who shall remain nameless but DID respond to said post on this blog), BYU will not finish undefeated.
I have a lot of respect for Bronco Mendenhall and his ability to shape defenses. I know that this defense, although young, isn’t going to be as bad as many think. I’ve read reports from players who say this is the fastest defense BYU has had yet in the Mendenhall era.
But it is inexperienced. I think at least once, maybe twice, but probably three times, it will falter, and BYU will lose.
The offense is great, we know that—but it’s not perfect. Against good defenses last year (Utah and UCLA), it was shut down pretty effectively. BYU won those games because the defense stepped up.
If those games happen again this year—and I anticipate they will—I just don’t think the defense will be able to step up.
Anyhow, for the purposes of THIS post, I’d like to post about my other favorite team—the University of Washington.
There’s no doubt this team DEFINITELY won’t be going undefeated. But I was thinking about a possible slogan that would be suitable for them that they could have printed on T-shirts.
How about: “University of Washington Football: Where our quest is to just be mediocre.”
In 2004, the Huskies were 1-10 (0-8 in the Pac-10). In 2005, they were 2-9 (1-7 in the Pac-10). In 2006, they teased us with a 4-1 start out of the gate, including wins against UCLA and Arizona, but finished 5-7 (3-6 in the Pac-10).
Last year, they had Huskies fans hoping again after a blowout win at Syracuse and a tough, gritty win at home against Boise State. But alas, they finished even worse than the year before, this time at 4-9 (2-7 in the Pac-10).
This year, it doesn’t look like things are going to be any easier, at least as far as the schedule goes. With their first three games being at Oregon, BYU, and Oklahoma, this team could very easily start 0-3.
But what are the odds? It’s coach Tyrone Willingham’s fourth year. It’s phenom quarterback Jake Locker’s second. The Huskies were said to have one of the best recruiting classes in all of college football last year.
Is this the season the Huskies finally reach mediocrity?
In a word...no.
As the eternal optimist, I want to stand up and shout, “Yes, of course they will.” But I'm also the eternal realist.
The Huskies are going to start 0-3. There’s little doubt about it.
Oregon lost QB Dennis Dixon and RB Jonathan Stewart last year and will be lucky to finish in the top tier of the Pac-10. But they are still better than Washington.
It’s the first game of the season, it’s at Autzen Stadium (somewhere the Huskies haven’t won since 2002), and it’s going to be in front of a nationally televised audience. I’d just be happy if the Huskies kept it within 20.
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