Puppy Chow

Huskies and USC

Washington get USC tonight, and UCLA on Saturday in which should be the final two nails in the old conference race coffin. If you happen to go to the game you get to see OJ Mayo for the first, and last time in his career. The game won't be on TV.

"Our backs are definitely to the wall," said junior guard Joel Smith, who joins Ryan Appleby as the lone holdovers from Romar's back-to-back Sweet 16 teams in 2005 and '06. "We have no reason to look back. Forward is where we need to go."

Things are supposed to get better at home, but after last weeks lack luster series against the Bay Area squads I don't have a lot of confidence that things are going to turnaround.

Ty Speaks

"If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger. And I think this has made our program stronger," Willingham said of a Huskies program that currently has more negativity surrounding it than Britney Spears.

Playing Early

The coaches already have an idea of the guys that are going to play early. CB Adam Long leads the list, and he just may end up being the fastest kid on the squad when he arrives. Look for one of the safeties to see early playing time also. Fogerson, Walker, and Taylor will fight for that spot.

All four defensive lineman, Kelemente, Ta'Amu, Noble, and Thompson all have an immediate shot depending on which way Washington decides to lineup.

At WR Chris Polk, and Jermaine Kearse are the early bets to play early. You could include Bruns, and Polk in that group too, but the Huskies want to redshirt a couple of these guys. Both Polk, and Bruns could use a year in the weight room. TE Kavario Middleton will also see the field and compete for a spot in the rotation.

2009

Washington will have a smaller class next season taking only 16-18 depending on how attrition goes. Expect the Huskies to take around 6-8 in state kids next year. There is some qualified talent in Hawaii next year. Count on the Huskies to offer more in Hawaii next season.

It is way to early to predict who the Huskies will go after, but Kamiak LB Marcus Sealey will probably end up being the top recruit in the state.

QB (1) Prince defected to UCLA so UW will recruit a QB next year for the depth.

RB (1) The Huskies seem to be loaded number wise, but there is room for at least one in each class.

WR (1) We filled a lot of holes in this year, so expect Washington to take no more than one.

TE (2) The Huskies graduate three TE's in 2008.

OL (3) You like to take 4-5 each year but the Huskies are building plenty of young depth.

DL (3) Figure on a couple of DE's and a NT

LB (3) If we run more 4-3 figure on them taking up to three here.

DB (2) The Huskies have rebuilt the depth after two solid recruiting classes in a row back here.

Stadium

Dan Evans has been busy lobbying for the new stadium in Olympia and remains optimistic despite a big yawn so far from the legislators. Getting the money is going to be a one on one proposition as UW approaches each lawmaker to make it's case. It is going to take a significant effort to get it done this session. What they are trying to do is create a sense of urgency because most people realize they are going to have to do something about the stadium sooner, than later. The longer you wait the more it is going to cost.

The Hoax

You have to shake your head when you read this story. The kid probably had a chance at a big Sky level school, but now who would take a chance on him?

A Fernley High School football player who had claimed he was duped into believing he was recruited to play at a Pac-10 school admitted Wednesday he made up the story. Kevin Hart, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman, offered a broad apology in a statement he issued Wednesday afternoon through the Lyon County School District. He said he had wanted to play football at a Division I school "more than anything." "When I realized that wasn't going to happen, I made up what I wanted to be reality. I am sorry for disappointing and embarrassing my family, coaches, Fernley High School, the involved universities and reporters covering the story," Hart said. Lyon County sheriff's detectives had said earlier Wednesday that they had been unable to corroborate Hart's claims that he had been duped by a man he had paid to help promote him in his bid to play college football. Hart spoke with deputies Saturday, a day after he announced at a school assembly and a press conference that he would sign with University of California, Berkeley.

Cougs Ranked Last By Pundits

Here is a little analysis on the Cougar class. I actually like some of the in state sleepers they picked up.

Wulff said his staff did "remarkable" work with so little time. Scout.com and Rivals.com both rate WSU's recruits last in the Pac-10, but Cougars recruits almost always earn low marks. WSU had only three verbal commitments before Wulff came aboard.