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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8 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Paul 11 months ago
Hang in there. Salvation may be on the way. Barring a miracle, Willingham will probably be fired following this year. Guess who UW President, Emert has a very good working relationship with? None other than Nick Saban, currently the head coach at Alabama. The good news is he has a no buy out contract. He is in a situation of unrealistic expectations. The powers that be and the fan base are thinking win the SEC west at the least. If the Tide doesn't do better than 6-6 and possible Independence Bowl, Saban may be wanting to get out of town ahead of the lynch mob.
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Gregg Geiger 11 months ago
Almost beat them in Corvallis?? Don't you mean almost took advantage of one of the worst officiating calls in the history of football to be handed a victory? I bet you think Locker didn't lower his head on the clean hit by Afalava either.
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Tim 11 months ago
BYU plays the huskies in their second game. Its early in the season and I don't know how much of a bang northern Illinois has. If the huskies defense improved any at all, this just might be a closer game then any of you might think. As far as offense, last year the huskies put up some impressive numbers also while playing a tougher schedule.
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ripcityphil 11 months ago
Firing the current coach because the previous staff couldn't recruit anyone who can play is not the answer.
Husky fans should not blame the current coach when he has little talent to work with and his schedule is the toughest in the country. I wouldn't evaluate his progress until after the 5th season of recruiting or you will regret it.
FYI - The Ducks have the best running game, the best secondary and the best overall team speed to finish near the top of the Pac10.
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Scott H 11 months ago
For those of you critical of the prospect of the UW replacing Willingham, I'm guessing that you haven't been attending any UW Husky football games over the past three years. The play calling has been predictable and brutal. The abvious lack of player motivation has been mind-boggling, especially in the second half after what should have been a rallying cry by the coach at halftime. And the obvious lack of leadership on the team has been staggering. Seattle is a very laidback town compared to most other sports cities. The fans here supported Willingham's hire and have remained hopeful that he could turn this team around and make measurable progress. He hasn't. And this is why many Husky fans are calling for a new coach. Particularly those fans who actually attend the games and see clearly where the coaching staff has fallen short.
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Kevin Cacabelos 11 months ago
Tyrone has performed a complete 360 with the football program. Obviously it hasn't shown on the winning column. But Willingham has set standards for the players in the academic setting, stressing the student in "student-athlete". Along with this, Willingham had done a superb job recruiting. It's pretty hard to convince a top high school athlete to come to play football at your school when you haven't been to a bowl game in a long time. Willingham has set a solid foundation for Husky football, with regards to its respectability and the future talent coming in. Unlike his predecessors who did the exact opposite. With what he's done, you got to give him credit. Last year he had the #1 toughest schedule and this year he will again have the toughest schedule in the nation. I'm not a laid back fan, I want wins as much as everyone else. But I want to do this the right way, I'd rather see sustainable long term progress then a quick fix.
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Ian Peterson 11 months ago
I actually agree with both Scott and Kevin here. I've been impressed with the amount of progress that has been made with the program as a whole, and I like Ty Willingham as a guy. That being said, I think he's an awful game day coach. I heard a stat, and I'm going on vague memory here, but the Huskies were winning at least 7 games going into halftime, but we ended 4-9. The necessary adjustments were never made during halftime and we got trounced in so many 4th quarters. Ty needs to surround himself with awesome assistant coaches if hes going to be successful on game-day.
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Ryan Comer 11 months ago
Ian ..
Your "vague memory" is pretty good. :-)
Last season, the Huskies were either tied or leading at halftime nine of the 13 games.
In the first half, they outscored opponents by an average of 16.69 to 14.38. In the second half, they were outscored by an average of 17.23 to 12.54.
So in the second half, especially on the defensive side of the ball, they were just horrible.
Check out these games:
Ohio State: At halftime, Huskies led 7-3. Huskies lost 33-14
at UCLA: At halftime, game was tied 10-10. Huskies lost 44-31
at Arizona State: at halftime, Huskies led 17-13. Huskies lost 44-20
Arizona: At halftime, Huskies led 28-23. Huskies lost 48-41.
at Hawaii: at halftime, Huskies led 28-21. Huskies lost 35-28.
Other interesting games:
Oregon: Outscored 24-17 in first half. Outscored 31-17 in second.
Washington State: Outscored 21-20 in first half. Outscored 21-15 in second.
That's a total of seven games they were within a touchdown, tied or leading at halftime that they ended up losing by at least a touchdown. Four of those games were turned into routes.
So if there's anybody that wants to defend Willingham, I don't know how you can defend that. I don't hate Willingham, nor do I think he's in any way "horrible". But like Ian said, he's an awful gameday coach. And the proof is in the stats.
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