Yes, the Washington football team needs a win this week against Idaho. But it goes beyond needing it for hope, for confidence or simply to add some joy to a program that has been down for some time.
The Huskies need it to make next week just a little more bearable.
UW coach Tyrone Willingham said he hasn’t started looking ahead to Sept. 24’s game against Notre Dame. He even says it with a straight face. But really, how could he not?
Willingham’s entire three-year tenure in South Bend was surrounded by scrutiny. From the beginning, he had to deal with the pressure of being the first black head coach of any sport in Notre Dame’s history. He dealt with that well, immediately turning around the Irish program and leading the 2002 team to a 10-3 record, a Gator Bowl appearance and winning several national coach-of-the-year awards. The following season, though, Notre Dame fell back to 5-7. Last season, Willingham coached the Irish to a 6-5 record and an Insight Bowl appearance, but it wasn’t enough to save his job.
When Willingham was fired despite a winning record, two bowl appearances and getting excellent results from his athletes in the classroom, it created an uproar. Notre Dame, long an institution that was portrayed as one that put academics and honor at least on the same level as athletics, was seen as just another sports factory. Notre Dame administrators said they didn’t see the results on the field they wanted.
Two weeks into the season, maybe they were right. And, especially if the Huskies don’t beat Idaho, that fact is going to be pointed out over and over next week. The press will be full of stories contrasting what Notre Dame (2-0 heading into this weekend’s game against Michigan State) is doing under Charlie Weis to what Washington is doing under Willingham.
It’s a pressure that Willingham and his players don’t need. The comparisons will be there next week regardless, because that’s the story. But being 1-2, even if it’s a win over Idaho, will look a whole lot better than 0-3 when those comparisons are made. At least it will show some progress that Willingham and his players can point to when asked the inevitable questions.
That, as much as anything, makes the Idaho game a must win.
Other Pacific-10 Conference teams have must-wins this week as well, though none are in as dire need of a victory as the Huskies. Four teams in the conference play Top 20 teams and two others play undefeated Big Ten teams. These are the games the Pac-10 has to win to garner the same respect as the SEC, Big 12, Big 10 and ACC. The only way to be on the same level as those conferences is to beat the top teams from those leagues. This is a great opportunity to show that there are other good teams in the West besides USC.
While it should be an exciting weekend of football, two issues arose this week that take off a bit of the glow.
First, Ohio State fans showed what kind of perspective they have by sending hate mail to Buckeyes tight end Ryan Hamby for dropping a potential touchdown pass in last week’s loss to Texas. It’s silly enough fans are calling for Willingham’s job after two weeks. But to send threatening letters to a college athlete over a game is stupid and if it’s discovered who sent the letters, they should be prosecuted.
Stupid can also be used to describe the NCAA for many, many reasons. The organization came up with a new one this week, ruling that student/athletes who attend schools affected by Hurricane Katrina still must sit out a year if they elect to transfer. It’s nice to see that college sport’s governing body is looking out for the best interests of the athletes who make the NCAA a rich organization. Of course, kids are supposed to be at a school for more than just the sports, but the NCAA seems to not want to acknowledge that sports are a big part of the reason a student is there. They are there for an education and to compete, and if there’s nowhere to compete, through no fault of there own, shouldn’t they be allowed to find a place where they can go to school and play their sport? Of course they should. It’s an easy answer for everyone except the one group of people that makes the decisions. The same group that continues to make things tougher and tougher on the people who are the backbone of their institution.
Idaho vs. Washington
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m., Husky Stadium.
TV: none.
Radio: KJR (950 AM).
Records: Idaho 0-2, Washington 0-2.
Stars to watch: Idaho – Quarterback Steven Wichman won Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors last week and leads the league with 533 yards and four touchdowns. Junior-college transfer Daniel Smith has 16 catches for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Wendell Octave is averaging 24.3 yards on six catches. Mike Barrow is 3-for-5 on field goals. Hank Therien leads the offensive line. Linebacker Cole Snyder is second in the WAC with 28 tackles. Linebacker Josh Bousman has two sacks.
Washington – Quarterback Isaiah Stanback has been solid, completing 62 percent of his passes for 543 yards and three touchdowns. Sonny Shackelford has 11 catches for 161 yards. Roy Lewis is averaging 21.8 yards on five kick returns. Sean Douglas is averaging 45.6 yards punting. Linebacker Evan Benjamin leads the team with 21 tackles. Safety Dashon Goldson has 19 tackles. Linebacker Joe Lobendahn has 16 tackles and fellow LB Scott White has two sacks.
Breaking down the game: Washington is desperate for a win to break an eight-game losing streak but goes against a much improved Vandals team. Idaho will miss running back Jayson Bird but his backups have been serviceable. Idaho can throw the ball, and Washington has been susceptible to the pass. The Huskies must run the ball better than last week, but will again miss injured tackle Joe Toledo up front. The Huskies should be able to score, as Idaho has given up a lot of points. Washington needs to get more pressure on Wichman to help its defensive backs, who will be challenged by the talented Idaho receivers.
Bottom line: Idaho should have success against Washington through the air, and the Huskies likely will put up points against the Vandals. Things could come down to who is more desperate to get their first win. After struggling against the Huskies for years, Idaho could be satisfied being competitive with Washington. But being competitive won’t get it done for Washington, and that may be just enough of an edge.
Pick: Washington, 29-25.
Grambling St. vs. WSU
Kickoff: 4 p.m., Qwest Field, Seattle.
TV: none.
Radio: KRKO (1380 AM).
Records: Grambling State 1-0, WSU 2-0.
Stars to watch: Grambling – Tigers’ defense dominated last week behind the play of 285-pound senior defensive end Jason Hatcher, who had seven tackles, three sacks and four tackles for loss in a 44-0 win over Alabama A&M. Defensive end Matt Duhe had two sacks. Cornerback Greg Fassitt had two interceptions. Linebacker Dimitri Carr led the team with nine tackles. Running back Ab Kuuan was a second-team all-SWAC pick with 10 touchdowns last season and he scored twice in the first game. Bruce Eugene, a 260-pound quarterback, completed just 38 percent of his passes last week but had 275 yards and three touchdowns (no interceptions). Receiver Henry Tolbert had four catches for 174 yards and a score, and Moses Harris had three catches for 84 yards and two TDs.
Washington State – Running back Jerome Harrison leads the Pac-10 in rushing with 286 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Wide receiver Jason Hill has 10 catches for 188 yards and a league-high four touchdowns. Quarterback Alex Brink has completed 61.5 percent of his passes for 432 yards and six TDs. Michael Bumpus ranks second in the Pac-10, averaging 20.6 yards on nine punt returns, including a touchdown. Lorenzo Bursey averages 22.1 yards on kick returns. Loren Langley is perfect on three field goals and nine PATs. Adam Braidwood leads the league with 21/2 sacks and Mkristo Bruce is right behind with two. Braidwood also has forced two fumbles.
Breaking down the game: The Cougars are coming off of an impressive road win against a clearly overmatched Nevada team. Washington State is moving the ball well on offense thanks to Harrison, and Brink has been solid at quarterback. They’ll be challenged by a Grambling team that was active on defense in its first game. The Tigers have two good receivers who will make WSU’s secondary work, but Grambling isn’t likely to have much success on the ground. But Grambling is athletic and will force WSU to keep up.
Bottom line: Grambling’s receivers could have some success against WSU if the offensive line provides protection. Washington State could come in a little overconfident because of its start. Ultimately, WSU is the better team with better talent, but Grambling didn’t come all this way to get blown out.
Pick: Washington State, 29-26.
Other Pac-10 games
Oregon State at Louisville: Cardinals too tough at home, shut down Beavers’ offense and show they are a top team. Pick: Louisville 34, Oregon State 20.
Oklahoma at UCLA: Maurice Drew scores an emotional late touchdown as UCLA takes big step forward, Oklahoma takes another one back. Pick: UCLA 32, Oklahoma 25.
Illinois at California: Illini are 2-0 against a weak schedule, but there’s nothing weak about Cal, which wins in a runaway. Pick: California 35, Illinois 18.
Fresno State at Oregon: Ducks’ defensive backs have been suspect, and Bulldogs will take advantage of it to pick up a road win. Pick: Fresno State 30, Oregon 28.
Purdue at Arizona: Wildcats are not up to the test of handling Boilermakers’ offense as Arizona fails in second big non-league test. Pick: Purdue 26, Arizona 18.
Northwestern at Arizona State: Northwestern’s defense is no match for the Sun Devils as ASU bounces back from LSU loss for an impressive win. Pick: Arizona State 38, Northwestern 27.
UC Davis at Stanford: Cardinal suffers letdown after big win at Navy but still has enough to beat Division I-AA Aggies in a squeaker. Pick: Stanford 27, UC Davis 23.
Arkansas at USC: Trojans are coming off a bye, and Razorbacks are no match anyway. Pick: USC 36, Arkansas 19.
Mike Allende is the Herald’s college writer
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