Tyrone Willingham couldn’t win this week. I don’t mean on the football field. In fact, I think his Huskies will play Notre Dame tougher than people expect.
No, Willingham couldn’t win this week because no matter what he said, people wanted more. People wanted to hear that it was going to be extra special to play his former team. They wanted to hear that he wanted to prove Notre Dame was wrong in firing him after last season. They wanted to hear something, anything, other than the usual cliches Willingham uses.
But instead, Willingham and his coaches, and the coaches at Notre Dame, and the players at both schools, insisted Saturday’s matchup is just another game. Of course, it’s not. Playing Notre Dame will never be just another game, and certainly not under these circumstances.
Many rolled their eyes when Willingham said he never bit his lip about Notre Dame and never hid the fact that there are emotions in this game. He said people just didn’t want to hear what he had to say.
You know what? He’s right.
As someone who covers the Huskies every day, interviewing Willingham is like going to the dentist (sorry dentists). At best, it’s tedious, at worst, painful. But maybe, just maybe, Willingham is telling the truth. Hey, as boring and difficult as Willingham is for reporters, he is a stand-up guy. So why not take him at his word? Sure, saying a game against Notre Dame it isn’t any more important than facing Idaho makes a great story into a non-story, and sure, that’s done deliberately. But there’s a lot of truth in what Willingham said.
He did, in fact, talk about his Notre Dame firing. He said it was just business, he was proud of what he did there and he’s moved on. Why isn’t that OK? Because other people think it was an injustice? That’s not Willingham’s problem. People get fired and laid off all the time. It doesn’t feel good, but you move on. What else are you going to do, and why should Willingham be any different? Willingham quickly ended up at a major university with a lot of backing for a football program and was given free reign to run the program how he wanted. Why wouldn’t he have put Notre Dame behind him? He’s got everything he could ask for.
Willingham has said it will be different, a little more special, to play against kids he recruited, kids he knows well. He left it at that. People wanted more, but in truth, he didn’t need to say more. There it was. The game is a little different. Willingham can’t afford to spend all week reminiscing about Notre Dame, he has a game to prepare for.
Willingham’s coaches say this is how he’s always been. Not a lot of ups, not a lot of downs. Some people are just that way (heck, I’m that way). So, though it makes for a weaker story, I’m willing to take Willingham at his word, because he has given his answers if you’re willing to accept them.
Speaking of Notre Dame, it was nice to see Michigan State handle its overtime win over the Irish last week with such class.
After the Spartans’ 44-41 win, MSU players ran to midfield at Notre Dame stadium and planted their school flag in the turf. It’s not like we’re talking about a historic win here. It was an exciting game on the road against a top foe, but Michigan State has won five in a row in South Bend and improved to 3-0 this year, not 11-0. Be excited, guys, but do it with some tact.
Say what you will about Willingham, but if Washington ever wins a big game (and believe me, someday, it will), be sure the Huskies will not be planting anything in anyone’s turf.
Notre Dame vs. Washington
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m., Husky Stadium.
TV: ABC, Ch. 4
Radio: KJR (950 AM)
Stars to watch: Notre Dame – Quarterback Brady Quinn has emerged as a top passer, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes for 854 yards and nine touchdowns. Running back Darius Walker has topped 100 yards in all three games, averaging 106.7 yards per game. Fullback Rashon Powers-Neal has three touchdowns. Two 6-foot-5 receivers, Maurice Stovall (18.3 yards per catch) and Jeff Samardzija (five touchdowns) stand out. Tight end Anthony Fasano leads the team with 15 catches. All five starters return on the offensive line, led by center John Sullivan. Linebacker Brandon Hoyte is tied for second in the nation with eight tackles for loss and leads the team with 29 tackles and three sacks. Safety Tom Zbikowski has 24 tackles, two interceptions and averages 16 yards on punt returns. Cornerback Ambrose Wooden has 20 tackles and safety Chinedum Ndukwe has recovered three fumbles. D.J. Fitzpatrick is 3-for-4 on field goals, all between 43 and 48 yards, and averages 41.8 yards on punts.
Washington – Running back Louis Rankin has gone over 100 yards in two of three games. Quarterback Isaiah Stanback has completed 61 percent of his passes for 688 yards and has run for 70 yards. Sonny Shackelford is the top receiver with 12 catches for 199 yards. Evan Benjamin and Dashon Goldson lead the team with 24 tackles each. Manase Hopoi is tied for the league lead with 31/2 sacks and is second with five tackles for loss. Donny Mateaki has two sacks. Evan Knudson is 4-for-5 on field goals and as made all eight extra-point attempts. Sean Douglas ranks ninth in the nation in punting (44.5 average).
Breaking down the game: The Irish passing game, with the experienced Quinn and his tall receivers, surely will try to take advantage of Washington’s secondary, especially if starter Roy Lewis is out again. But with the explosive Walker, Notre Dame can also run the ball. So the UW defensive line has to have as strong a game as it had last week and pressure Quinn while forcing Walker inside. The Husky offensive line may be able to open some holes, and allowing Rankin room to run, thus controlling the clock and keeping the Irish offense on the sideline, will be huge. Stanback is likely to continue to gain freedom to make plays. Washington should be able to score, but will it be enough to counter Notre Dame’s offense?
Bottom line: Notre Dame can score, and Coach Charlie Weis’ system is difficult to prepare for. Add to that a really talented group of skill players, and it will be a big test for a Husky defense that played well last week. Washington has to be able to run the ball, but Notre Dame’s linebackers are solid, which means Stanback could open things up through the air. The emotion of playing in front of a big crowd in a huge game, and the fact that the Washington coaches know what they’re going against so well, should allow the Huskies to keep things close.
Pick: Notre Dame, 24-21
Other Pac-10 Games
California at New Mexico State: The Golden Bears are rolling despite injuries and shouldn’t get much of a test in their last non-league game. Pick: California 37, New Mexico State 20.
USC at Oregon: This will be one of the Trojans’ biggest tests as the Ducks’ offense is tough and USC’s defense is banged up, though it won’t be enough to break the No. 1-ranked team’s streak. Pick: USC 30, Oregon 22.
Arizona State at Oregon State: The Beavers are coming off of a humiliating loss to Louisville but playing in Corvallis results in the first upset of the Pac-10 season. Pick: Oregon State 28, Arizona State 25.
Mike Allende is the Herald’s college writer
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
