Saturday Update

Published 9:00 pm Friday, October 27, 2006

We’re about 6 1/2 hours from kickoff and there’s little to report despite having not posted in awhile. I’d be pretty surprised to see Kenny James play today, as he really didn’t practice this week and UW coaches have been pretty hesitant to play anyone who didn’t get any work in during the week. I think if it’s sunny – as it’s supposed to be – the chances of James playing improves as the field would be a little more stable, but I still don’t think we’ll see him. That would mean the game would be in Louis Rankins’ hands, which could be exciting or excruciating. If Rankin doesn’t show more physicalness this week, we might see the season debut of Shelton Sampson, which would be interesting. Remember, James Sims took over fairly late last season as the starting tailback as a senior and really picked the running game up. Maybe Sampson could do the same thing, though he and Sims are different kinds of runners. But a motivated senior might be what that position needs (not that Rankin isn’t motivated).

The Huskies are having their first Husky Player Walk today as part of Homecoming. It’s similar to what other schools do, when players walk to the stadium and fans can line up and greet them as they enter the stadium. Washington’s will take place at 1:45. The team is going to be dropped off in the Southeast area of the E12 parking lot between the Climbing Wall and the Waterfront Activities Center on the south side of the stadium. They’ll walk through the E12 lot and enter the stadium on the Southeast corner.