If you haven’t heard by now, the Huskies will have a rematch against Nebraska on December 30th in the Holiday Bowl. We’ll have more on this later! It’s awesome that I’m able to post this.
Andrew
Author Archives: Andrew Long
Husky Predictions – Apple Cup Edition
Joe
The Apple Cup is always crazy because of the rivalry. Upsets are common place. Underdogs win, road teams win, bad weather, goofy plays. You name, it’s happened in this rivalry. All of these events are being talked about as possibly happening in the latest edition. For the first time in years the Huskies have something tangible to play for besides pride. A win and the Dawgs finish 3rd in the Pac-10 and most likely an Alamo Bowl birth. This fact alone is amazing considering the last time UW played in Pullman they lost to a previously winless Cougar squad, going 0-12, and threw the program into the darkest winter it has ever seen, being the butt of jokes and the door mat of college football. Under Coach Sark the Dawgs have improved by leaps and bounds. A win in this game will vault the program back into relevancy. It will be a needed shock to the system, giving a once very proud program reason to have some swagger. For the seniors playing in this game, it will mean the world. The Huskies have everything to play for. Everything. This is it. No tomorrow. Pride is a small part of this equation. We are talking legacy. We are talking foundation. We are talking about us telling our grandkids about this team, this team that broke through, even at a mediocre 6-6, they broke through, learned how to win, and got the program going in the right direction. Guys like Jake Locker and Mason Foster will forever be etched in Husky lore as warriors who got beat up and beat down more often than not, but went out winners, went out on their terms. The final drive at Cal last week and the gutsy performance the week prior verse UCLA have battle hardened this team. They are not afraid of a street fight. They are not afraid of the road. Not afraid of some cold temps. They are not afraid of their bitter and hated rivals. The Cougars have nothing but pride to play for. There is no legacy. There is no grandkids talk. Sure, they can razz us until next season, but for what? To go 2-10, 3-9 again? If the Coogs win or lose, it won’t matter to that program. They have upset the Dawgs before, and they will no doubt do it again. But not this day. The chemistry of this game favors the UW. Better athletes, better coaches, more to play for, and a desire for more to play for. This current roster has never played for anything but pride and a win. The past two wins have given us glimpses into what they can do when backed into a corner. The final drive at Cal really showed their grit, showed who they really can be. Now, they have it within their grasp. This is it. This is the game. 60 minutes to glory. Impose your will. Play the game of your life. Everything you have worked for since you first picked up a football has led to this moment. Be legends. This day it begins. None of this can the Cougars say to themselves. Every word of this is true for the Huskies. Throw the X’s and O’s out the window folks, this game is about who want it more, and there is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind who wants it more.
Huskies 35 – Cougars 17
Matthew:
I’m scared to write a prediction for this game. There’s too much on the line, and it doesn’t seem like risking a jinx just for a prediction. I’ll risk it anyway. Objectively, I really think the Huskies should roll in this game. Well, maybe not roll, but be in good control. I’ve thought this many times before when nothing of the sort has happened, so I wouldn’t be at all surprised by a close game. Ultimately, I’m hoping the Cougar optimism is overblown and the Dawgs bring them back to reality.
Huskies 31- Cougars 17
Dan:
3 weeks ago I drew a parallel between last year’s UW basketball team, and this UW football team. I wondered if the football team could pull off what the basketball team did last year. After following to 7-7 in conference play, the Huskies had to win out in order to make the tournament. That team could have tanked it the rest of the year. Instead, they rallied around their senior leader, Quincy Pondexter, and won 9 straight. After 3 straight blow out losses, UW football was 3-6, and would have to win out just to make a bowl game. So far, the team has responded just like the basketball team did. Now, just one game separates the Huskies from breaking through to the bowl season, and I think they’ll get it done. I could back this claim with statistics, by comparing strengths and weaknesses, and using logic. But all that is thrown out when these two teams play. The Huskies appear to be a team of destiny, and I can’t see Jake Locker and this senior class being denied.
Huskies-27, Cougars-17
Now, I’m going to take this prediction one step further, and take a crack at picking the play of the game. I see a Locker to Goodwin connection for 60 yards. It may look something like this:
Andrew:
These predictions have been a little weird. Joe’s is a mini novel, Dan’s includes a video of him playing X Box and Matthew’s email prediction involved one of the strangest subject lines I’ve ever seen (Woof woof. Meow. Oh, I thought you were supposed to be cougar. You’re just a cute little kitty. Woof.). I’m not going to do anything too crazy, I just want the Huskies to win. We’ve waited 8 years for this. It’s been completely frustrating. Sitting through Keith Gilbertson and Tyrone Willingham was painful. Our fans deserve this. Our players have been beat up more than they’ve beaten anyone. They deserve this. This program could be in a much brighter place at about 7:30 Saturday night. Yes, the Cougars are improving but they still aren’t good. This is it Husky fans, the game we’ve been waiting for. I think the Dawg’s win and we’ll celebrate through the night.
Huskies 31 – WSU 21
Filed under Huskies Football, UW Game Previews
Our Seniors – Nate Williams
Over the next couple days, I will be taking a look at 3 seniors (Nate Williams, Mason Foster, and Jake Locker) who have bled purple and gold. Feel free to chime in on the comments if you have something to say about these guys.
When people think of seniors on the 2010 Husky football team, they think of Jake Locker. Oh, you want me to name another one? That’s easy, Mason Foster. There is one guy who is regularly forgotten though, that’s Nate Williams.
Nate Williams came to the University of Washington in 2007 and played right away as a true freshman. He earned the honor of UW freshman defensive player of the year and showed promise throughout the season. Williams was an excellent running back in high school at Kennedy but came played safety from the get go for the Dawgs.
Just like Locker, Williams career started against Syracuse in 2007 and Locker wasn’t the only freshman who showed promise. In a play that was forgotten by many, Williams had a pass deflection in the end zone while that game was still close. It’s fitting that in his first game Nate Williams play was overshadowed by teammates.
Over his sophomore and junior seasons Nate Williams started 23 of 24 games. The only game he missed, due to injury, was last year against Arizona. It may not be a coincidence that the defense was pretty horrendous during that game and it took a miracle to win.
That brings us to this year. Nate is second on the team in tackles, and would be leading the conference in tackles if it wasn’t for that crazy linebacker playing in front of him. He is as solid as they can get on the Huskies defense.
Yet, why do we always forget him? He has been one of the three best players on the Husky defense for the last three years and his ovation on senior day was the same volume as Greg Christine’s (nothing against Greg Christine, it’s just that Nate Williams has played and succeeded in way more games).
It’s much overdue and far too little for you, Nate, but thank you. Thank you for bleeding purple and gold. Thank you for playing hard even through an 0-12 season. Even through a coaching turnover and fans ridiculing you and your team. You deserve a bowl game more than all these grumpy fans who can’t stop complaining about football in Seattle (myself included). I’ll miss seeing you at Husky Stadium next year and I hope an NFL team takes a flyer on a guy who plays his hardest even in the worst situations.
Thanks for being a Husky, Nate. You may have been overlooked quite often, but you won’t be forgotten.
Andrew
Update: Little did I know Steve Kelley, Seattle Times Columnist, would write a piece on Nate Williams today too. Here’s a link to his piece.
Filed under Huskies Football
The Apple Cup Matters!
With the Huskies getting a dramatic, last second victory Saturday in Berkley, football fans in Washington can say something that they haven’t been able to say in years: The Apple Cup matters!
The Huskies have inched to within one win of a bowl game for the first time since 2002 and, with a win in the Apple Cup, the Dawgs will either be in the Holiday Bowl or Sun Bowl. Needless to say, this would be a huge accomplishment for a program that’s been in disarray since 2003.
While UW has been in the dumps, WSU has since followed in the same path. After a decent run in the beginning of the decade, the Cougars have since fallen about as low as a team can get. For 2 years in a row, they were historically bad (winning 3 games over 2 years). This year looked as if it’d be more of the same, but then the Cougars started to improve. They’ve gotten better every game and finally earned a Pac-10 win in their last game against Oregon State. Was that game an apparition that will be forgotten in a few years, or was it a turning point for the Cougars? A good performance in the Apple Cup would be a huge statement for Wazzu.
The Apple Cup has been a game between two crappy teams the last few years. It hasn’t had bowl implications since 2006. This year, that changes.
Rivalry games are special no matter what. But, when a rivalry game has a little something extra on the line, they become more fun. This game doesn’t just matter for Husky fans, it matters for Cougar fans because they don’t want us in a bowl. Hopefully, this game is a sign of better things to come for both programs. It feels like it is. But, for now, an Apple Cup that actually means something is a reason to celebrate.
Happy Apple Cup week, football fans! Go Huskies!
Andrew
Filed under Huskies Football
Husky Predictions – Cal
I’m getting this up a little bit late, but here it is. This is the biggest Husky game in quite a few years and it’s nice to have a meaningful game in November. Here goes nothing!
Joe
This one is simple: It’s Cal. It’s after Thanksgiving. They will quit. Huskies have more to play for. Yes, Locker is still hurt, but the combo of Polk and Callier will run, run, and run again and again. The defense has played better over the past few games. Cal can’t throw, they will try to run Vereen, but the UW front seven has done a fine job of stopping the run lately. I like the Dawgs.
UW 20 – Cal 17
Dan
For the past couple weeks, I’ve been intrigued by the bowl possibilities that could await the Huskies, if they could get to 6 wins. As a fan, I’m allowed to think weeks ahead, make predictions, and dream a little. I don’t have to take it “one week at a time.” I would love to see UW play as well on Saturday as they did against Cal last year. It would be great to see this team win for Jake, similar to how the basketball team rallied for Quincy Pondexter last year. Unfortunately, I see a Cal victory. Unlike last year, the Bears have as much to play for as the Huskies, and it is not just Senior Day in Berkely, but also the final game at Memorial Stadium. That seems like a lot to overcome, and it’s had to imagine the Huskies stopping Vereen and the Cal running attack. I think the Dawgs play inspired ball, but the talent gap is just too big, and without Locker being 100% still, I see Cal winning 34-17.
Andrew
There’s quite a few reasons to like the Huskies in this game: Cal seems to be in a late season collapse, Locker is healthier, the Husky defense seems to be improving. With all that being said, it’s hard for me to see the Huskies winning this game. I hope I’m wrong but I think we’ll see the good Cal team show up today and that will be just too much for the Huskies.
Cal 35 – UW 24
Matthew
No prediction sent. Slacker.
I am a slacker, but I’m picking Huskies 27-24. We’re only 8 minutes into the game!
Filed under Huskies Football, UW Game Previews
One Down, Two to Go!
Last night, the Husky football team closed out their home schedule with a 24-7 win over UCLA. The defense had their best performance of the season and the team closed out the game like they needed to to get a victory. Over the next two weeks, I plan on writing a few posts on the Husky seniors, but for today I want to address the biggest question left on this season: Can this team make a bowl game?
The Huskies sit at 4-6 right now with two games remaining. Obviously, the Huskies have to win the next two to assure themselves a spot in the post-season. They can do this. They play an inconsistent Cal team and then a Cougar team, that is improving but is still the worst team in the conference. Last night was a good team effort by the Huskies but I’m still not feeling very confident in our chances. These things have to improve:
- The defensive line needs to continue to improve. Last night, the Dawgs d-line played their best half of the season, in the second half. Ta’amu and Jamora made 12 tackles combined and there was some penetration. Yes, UCLA’s offense in the second half was absolutely terrible but some of the credit has to go to the Huskies defense for that. These lineman have to keep getting better and cause penetration. They face a tough task next week against Cal and Shane Vereen but expect the gameplan for the defense to be much like it was against UCLA, forcing Cal to throw.
- Keep the Rushing Attack Going. If the Huskies run for over 250 yards in each of their next games, I like their chances. This will especially be essential against WSU, in a freezing game that will be all about running the football. Sark needs to make a commitment to running the football often over the next 2 games, much like he did in the second half. Also, as Locker gets more healthy I think they need to let him run more. These are the last 2 games he has. I think he would agree with me here.
- Converting 3rd and Shorts. This was the most frustrating part of the game yesterday. I don’t know how many third and shorts the Huskies had but I can only think of them converting on one of them. It’s probably more but it didn’t feel like it. The play calling needs to be more creative on 3rd and short and the players need to execute better.
- Colin Porter needs to start. This is the most questionable of these points, but, in my opinion, the offensive line is clearly better when he’s in the game. He was in most of the second half when the running game really got going and was in the game on the first touchdown drive also. Christine is a leader and gives an all out effort, but Porter is just better. It seems like this has been the case all season.
Surely, there are other keys but these are the ones I can think of without getting extremely obvious. That’s all for now, have a good weekend and thanks for reading!
Andrew
Filed under Huskies Football
R.I.P. Dave Niehaus
Dave Niehaus just passed away from a heart attack today in his home. The longtime Mariner announcer was relatively young, 75, and seemed to have every intention of coming back year after year to be the voice of the Mariners. The Mariners have changed managers, players, and front office officials many times over their 33 year history but Dave was the mainstay.
Sometime soon, we’ll look back at our memories of this hall-of-famer but for now we offer up our thoughts and prayers to his family. Dave was the best of the best in the announcing booth and seemed to be the same way as a man. You’ll be missed, Mr. Niehaus. Seattle has suffered some bad days in sports lately, but today is more than sports. Thank you for everything, Dave.
Andrew
Filed under Mariners
Congratulations Ichiro and Guti
Today, after a 2010 season in which nothing went right, 2/3 of the Mariner outfield were rewarded with Gold Gloves. Ichiro won his 10th straight Gold Glove and Franklin Gutierrez won the 1st of his career.
Much has been made of the Gold Glove award since the development of advanced defensive statistics in baseball (UZR, run prevention). These sabermetrics have shown that the Gold Glove award is, more or less, bogus. The leading example of this is Derek Jeter winning the award despite his terrible range (shown by UZR).
With that being said, Franklin and Ichiro deserve these awards. They both are in the upper echelon of defensive outfielders and have shown that through the course of their careers. Guti may have deserved the award more last year but when it comes to the Gold Glove award, we aren’t going to be picky.
Both of these guys deserve to be acclaimed and they were today, so congratulations to them. If the season was a dark room, your defense was a very small lamp that lit up a corner.
Andrew
Filed under Uncategorized
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