Cal Bears (8-3) vs. Washington Huskies (4-7)
Saturday, December 5, 3:30 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Cal -7.0

Sam’s Take (53 – 19):

Although expectations were sky high for the 2009 Cal Bears, the season can still be a mild success. Cal’s losses have come to three ranked opponents (Oregon, OSU, USC) and a 10-win season is still very achievable.

But I’m sure Jeff Tedford doesn’t need to be reminded about how tough Husky Stadium can be for visiting teams. A four win Washington squad defeated USC and Arizona in Seattle, and the Dawgs are looking to end the year with another high quality win. Steve Sarkisian would love to finish his first season at U-Dub with positive momentum and a win over Cal could pay dividends on the recruiting trail.

Cal will be without Jahvid Best in the season finale, but the offense hasn’t missed a beat because of the brilliant running of Shane Vereen. Vereen has accumulated 352 rushing yards and four TDs in his last two games, and that could be especially bad news for a Husky defense that ranks ninth in the Pac-10 in run defense (76th nationally). I expect Vereen to have a big day, which should also open up the offense for QB Kevin Riley and the passing game.

Will this be QB Jake Locker’s last game in Seattle? There has been plenty of speculation about his future, and I’m sure he will want to put together a memorable performance Saturday just in case. I think Locker could be in for a huge day through the air, as the Bears rank 108th nationally in pass defense. There is plenty of talent in the UW receiving corps and the unit seems to elevate its play at Husky Stadium. I also expect the Pac-10’s most underrated player (RB Chris Polk) to have another productive game. Polk has quietly rushed for over 1,000 yards on the season, and he is good enough to challenge the Bears 23rd ranked (nationally) run defense.

The Huskies are extremely difficult to beat at home, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them pull the upset. Nevertheless, I believe the Bears have found a brand new identity since the injury to Best. Vereen is playing inspired football, and I think he will set the tone again on Saturday.

Cal edges Washington in an entertaining finale.

Prediction: Cal 34 – Washington 28

Cal Player to Keep an Eye On: OL Mike Tepper – Tepper is the anchor of the Cal rushing attack and I expect the senior to play big in his final Pac-10 game.

Washington Player to Keep an Eye On: DE Daniel Te’o-Nesheim – Te’o-Nesheim is also a senior, and this will be the last game of his career. The ultra-productive defensive end will be looking to exit U-Dub with a bang.

Dave’s Take (54 – 18):

Emotions will be running high this Saturday in Washington. Cal will be looking to end an overall disappointing regular season on a high note, and Washington will be looking to add one more huge win to their resume.

It’s hard to pick against Washington at home where they are 4-2 with losses only to LSU and Oregon. They clearly play at another level on both sides of the ball at home, and if indeed this is Jake Locker’s last game in a Husky uniform as many have speculated, he’ll be even more revved up to make a statement.

Even taking all that into consideration, though, I can’t pick against Cal here. They’ve been playing excellent football and coming up with some huge plays on both sides of the ball since losing Jahvid Best. Shane Vereen has been electric, and Cal has knocked off two straight ranked opponents in Arizona and Stanford.

Assuming both teams bring their best, which I expect them to, Cal has the edge in talent at this point and should pick up the win.

Prediction: Cal 35 – Washington 27

Washington Huskies 3-7 Overall (2-5 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Oregon State 48 – Washington 21

Next Week’s Opponent: BYE

Sometimes it is important to just take a step back and look at the big picture.

To some, it might feel like it has been a disappointing season considering how promising things looked in the early stages. But really, coming off of a winless season and breaking in a brand new head coach, if you were told that you’d be heading into the Apple Cup with three wins including USC and Arizona, would you not have been ecstactic to hear that as a Huskies fan?

As disheartening as this Saturday may have been, it marked only the third time of the season the Huskies were beaten by double digits; a pretty remarkable turn around from last year, which had eight double-digit losses at this point in the season. Losing heartbreaking games like Notre Dame in overtime, Arizona State on the last play, and UCLA hurt; but they are part of the maturation process. As are, unfortunately, spankings like this one.

The defense was powerless to stop one of the Pac-10’s most powerful offenses. Despite only surrendering 372 yards, the final score indicates that. Jake Locker went 14/23 for 153 yards, 3 TD, and 1 INT; but unfortunately two of the scores came in the fourth quarter when the outcome was pretty much already decided. Chris Polk had his third straight 100+ yard day on the ground with 116 yards on 19 carries. You can’t say enough great things about the freshman, who has averaged five yards per carry and has a great chance of going over 1000 yards on the season.

As frustrating as the losing streak has been, it should come to an end next week against Washington State, which would be sweet revenge for last season’s loss. But for this week, the Huskies get the week off to relax and get a little healthier for the last two games.

Washington Huskies 3-6 Overall (2-4 Conference)

This Week’s Score: UCLA 24 – Washington 23

Next Week’s Opponent: @Oregon State

You don’t just go from being a winless team to a consistently good team overnight; even if you make it look like you might early in the season.

After starting the season off 2-1 including the huge upset win over then-#3 USC, the Huskies gave their fans plenty of reason to be optimistic for the rest of the season.

But since then, it’s been a 1-5 skid; ironically enough, the one win coming against another Pac-10 frontrunner in Arizona. Some of the losses have neen particularly heart breaking; the controversial OT loss to Notre Dame, the defensive breakdown on the last play of the game against ASU. But this one might be the worst yet.

UCLA did all they could to give this game away. Two interceptions and three fumbles lost (out of six). When you win the turnover battle five to one against a team that is winless in the conference, there just isn’t any excuse for losing the game.

Erik Folk had the chance to take the lead on a 38-yard attempt with just under 11 minutes left, but missed. With time winding down, Washington looked poised for some late heroics with Jake Locker leading the team into UCLA territory with all three time outs; only to see a Rahim Moore interception end the threat. The Huskies looked an awful lot like their 2008 counterparts last Saturday, just finding ways to lose games.

Chris Polk and Jermaine Kearse were the stars on offense, with Polk rushing for 132 yards on 15 carries and Kearse making seven catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns. The offense ended up settling for too many field goal tries, converting on three and of course missing on the last one.

The defense gave up a lot of yards (455), but forcing five turnovers should give your team a good chance to win. Desmond Trufant and Jason Wells both had an interception.

The Huskies will have one more chance to play spoiler this season when they head into Corvallis for this week’s matchup against Oregon State. After that it’s a bye, and then a chance at revenge for last year’s Apple Cup loss against the rival Cougars.

Washington Huskies (3-5) vs. UCLA Bruins (3-5)
Saturday, November 7, 1:30 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: UCLA -4.0

Sam’s Take (39 – 15):

The Washington Huskies have lost 10 straight road games, and they haven’t beaten the Bruins in Pasadena since 1995. Meanwhile, UCLA is looking to win their first conference game of the season in an effort to keep their bowl hopes alive for 2009. Let’s call this one the “Desperation Bowl”, as the loser is likely staying home for the holidays.

So who has the edge? A healthy Jake Locker would sway me Washington’s way, but I’m not convinced that he will be himself on Saturday. It certainly helps that UW runs a pro-style offense (allowing Locker to stay in the pocket and limit the strain on his thigh), but will the o-line give him time to throw (UW ranked 83rd nationally in sacks allowed)? I think much of the offensive burden will fall on RB Chris Polk, who must have a big game in order to take the pressure off of Locker.

Bruins QB Kevin Prince has re-asserted himself as the starter for this UCLA team. Prince engineered a great second half comeback that came up just short against Oregon State, and now it appears that he is gaining confidence again. Washington ranks 101st nationally against the pass, meaning Prince should have plenty of opportunities to make some big plays on Saturday.

While the Bruins defense has not looked as ferocious in conference play as it did against Tennessee, the talent is still there. If Locker’s accuracy is missing, I fully expect S Rahim Moore (NCAA-best 7 INTs) and CB Alterraun Verner to take advantage.

In the end I think Rick Neuheisel finds a way to beat his old team, which will set the Bruins up for a realistic shot at a December bowl game (@WSU, ASU, @USC with two wins needed).

Prediction: UCLA 28 – Washington 23

Washington Player to Keep an Eye On: WR Jermaine Kearse – Kearse is an explosive athlete who has made a habit of reeling off 20+ yard catches throughout the season. I expect a stationary Jake Locker to look his way even more this week.

UCLA Player to Keep an Eye On: WR Nelson Rosario - The physically imposing Rosario had a breakout game against OSU (6 rec. 152 yards 1 TD), and he will try to build on that performance this week.

Dave’s Take (42 – 12):

Washington has been a tough team to figure out this year. The combined record of the three opponents Washington has beaten is 18-6, including two top-tier Pac-10 teams (USC and Arizona). Then again, they are only 3-5, including an 0-3 record on the road.

But is UCLA any easier to figure out? After starting off the season 3-0 including the big win over Tennessee. Since, they are 0-5 in the conference. A terrible run no doubt, but @Stanford, Oregon, Cal, @Arizona, @Oregon State is a pretty brutal schedule.

We do know that these two teams along with ASU round out the 7-9 teams in the conference, but the next few weeks will determine in exactly what order they fall.

I really don’t know how this one will play out, but I have to go with UCLA. I’m leaning that way for two reasons; Jake Locker’s deep thigh bruise, and UCLA’s home field advantage. UCLA’s defensive line is going to get its share of contact on Locker, and I have a feeling that the injury will hinder Locker’s ability to find his groove.

Should be a very good game, and the pressure is on Kevin Prince and the Bruins offense to help their defense out and keep the team’s bowl hopes alive.

Prediction: UCLA 21 – Washington 17

Washington Huskies 3-5 Overall (2-3 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Oregon 43 – Washington 19

Next Week’s Opponent: BYE

Count me in as one of the many prognosticators that expected a nail-biter between Oregon and Washington. I guess we will have to wait at least another year before one of the Pac-10’s greatest rivalries returns to form, as the Ducks blasted the Dawgs for the sixth straight season.

Husky fans, Saturday’s game can’t be characterized as anything other than disappointing. What happened to the team that outworked USC on both sides of the ball? I refuse to write the performance against the Trojans off as a fluke, but the last few weeks (including the win against UA) have made it tough to believe in Sarks‘ Dawgs.

Certainly Saturday started innocently enough (3-0 Huskies after a quarter), but the punt block TD (followed by a walk-in two pointer) was a game-changer, to say the least. Special teams proved to be a killer, as the Huskies fell victim to Chip Kelly’s unconventional tactics on more than one occasion (the Nate Costa fake punt scramble never should have happened).

Nick Holt’s defense was also a big disappointment. The Huskies relied on surprising red zone resiliency to keep opponents from scoring up to this point, but the Ducks were able to score four times in the red zone. Statistically, Washington is now ranked at the bottom of the country in rushing yards allowed (91st nationally), passing yards allowed (102nd nationally), total defense (107th nationally), and scoring defense (95th nationally).

Of course, the biggest disappointment of all was the play of QB Jake Locker. I take nothing away from the toughness and tenacity of Nick Aliotti’s defense (the Ducks D is legit no doubt), but Locker didn’t look like himself. He was hesitant throughout the game as both a passer and runner, and Oregon was able to sack him four times while also picking two passes (he went 23/44 266 yards 1 TD, 2 INTs).

The most important thing for Locker to do now is put this one behind him, as the Huskies can still accomplish a lot this year but not without Jake at his best. Looking for a positive on offense? Look no further than RB Chris Polk (18 caries, 104 yards 1 TD), who ran hard all day even when everything else was going wrong.

Washington has a bye this week, giving Sark and the coaches a chance to reevaluate and regroup. The Dawgs have three wins and therefore need to win three of their remaining four games to reach the postseason (@UCLA, @OSU, WSU, Cal). Is it possible? I still think so, but the players must compete with the same fire that was clearly present a few weeks ago, and the defense must be MUCH better.

Oregon Ducks (5-1) vs. Washington Huskies (3-4)
Saturday, October 24, 12:30 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Oregon -10.0

Sam’s Take (31 – 14):

The Ducks and Huskies have formed one of the Pac-10’s fiercest rivalries over the years, but when is the last time there was any buzz surrounding this game? While Washington holds a significant lead in the all-time series (58-38-5), the Ducks have obliterated U-Dub in five straight meetings, making the usually nasty rivalry nothing more than an afterthought.

I believe this year will be different. The buzz is back in this series, and despite Washington’s best effort to throw away every bit of momentum they have accumulated this season (that 50-yard TD bomb from Danny Sullivan still seems surreal), I believe coach Sark, Jake Locker and an extra-fiery Nick Holt will have the Dawgs ready to play at home.

Having said all of that, I also think Oregon will come ready to play. QB Jeremiah Masoli may not be 100%, but all indications are that he will start. Chip Kelly may limit the playbook a bit this week, especially considering the Ducks need to have a healthy Masoli for the ‘SC game. I therefore expect to see a heavy dose of RB LaMichael James, as this UW defense has been suspect against the run (86th in nation) and James has already proven he can tear through a pretty solid D (UCLA) even without the threat of a passing game. The Huskies have been tremendous defensively in the red zone, but I still expect Chip Kelly’s squad to score a few times inside the 20-yard line.

The most compelling match up in this game involves QB Jake Locker and the UW offense going up against an Oregon D that is playing as well as any in the Pac-10 (and possibly the country). The Ducks have disrupted opposing QBs all season (even Boise’s Kellen Moore), but Locker will be the unit’s biggest test of the season thus far.

I am really looking forward to this game, and I believe it has a chance to be the most exciting of the week in the Pac-10. The Huskies have the ingredients to pull the off the upset this year, but I really think Oregon is on a mission. Chip Kelly has the Ducks locked in right now, and I think they will do just enough to escape a very hostile environment with a win.

Prediction: Oregon 31 – Washington 27

Oregon Player to Keep an Eye On: CB Talmadge Jackson III - Jackson had a game to remember against UCLA, and he will be one of the keys to containing the talented UW receivers.

Washington Player to Keep an Eye On: RB Chris Polk - If Polk can hit a few big runs early, the entire offense will open up for Jake Locker to work his magic.

Dave’s Take (35 – 10):

You can’t deny that there is just something special about when Washington plays at home this year. Their 3-1 record includes thrilling wins over ranked USC and Arizona, and their only loss came in a well-played game against LSU. Upsetting another major conference player is a serious possibility this Saturday.

With that said, I honestly don’t think UW will be able to keep up this week. Oregon is clicking in all three facets of the game; special teams has been great, the defense has been insanely strong since conference play has started, and the offense is always a major threat. Washington has been shredded by the run in Pac-10 play, and it is hard to see them bucking that trend against LaMichael James and the nation’s 16th best rushing attack (202.7 yards per game).

Washington’s offense has plenty of talent, and Jake Locker and Chris Polk have really emerged as stars, but they are only averaging 25.4 points per game (76th in the nation). Good defenses have been able to limit Washington’s offensive output, and the Ducks shut-down defense should be able to do the same.

Unless Jeremiah Masoli reverts back to his early-season struggles and makes a ton of mistakes (which Washington has proven, especially at home, that they can capitalize on), I see Oregon taking the crowd out of this game early and heading into next week’s Halloween showdown with ‘SC in top form.

Prediction: Oregon 31 – Washington 17

Washington Huskies 3-4 Overall (2-2 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Arizona State 24 – Washington 17

Next Week’s Opponent: Oregon

Hard to remember that there was a whole game played last Saturday; all that comes to mind is the one fateful play. For all of the accolades that Steve Sarkisian and Nick Holt have (deservedly) received, they deserve their share of criticism for flat out costing their team the game on Saturday.

I won’t pretend to know what would have happened if this game went to overtime; none of us know. But with the momentum tilted in Washington’s favor after outscoring the Devils 10-3 in the second half, Thomas Weber’s confidence waning at only 1/3 on FG tries (and having just missed one in the 4th), and one of the most clutch QBs in the conference in Jake Locker, I wouldn’t hate my chances.

Chris Polk rushes for six yards. 2nd and 4. Chris Polk rushes for three yards. 3rd and 1. With 81 yards to go and barely any time left on the clock, why is Steve Sarkisian calling for a pass here? “Just a poor call,” he later admitted. The risk to reward should have made this an extremely easy decision, but for whatever reason, the usually razor-sharp Coach Sark had a mental lapse.

But then the play that stunned us all. I get that you don’t want to give away the middle of the field and the underneath routes; but how in the world does Nick Holt call a play that doesn’t make the number one priority keeping the ball out of the endzone?

With 13 seconds to go at the 50 yard line, even if ASU does complete a 20 yard pass, it would still set up a 47-yard field goal attempt for a kicker that has already missed two from 40+ tonight. I’d much rather take my chances on that occurring than giving Danny Sullivan’s big arm a free shot for six.

I’m not a fan of Monday morning quarterbacking, and I usually give coaches the benefit of the doubt and understand that they know better than I do. But calling the coaching in the last minute of the game anything less than boneheaded is just being too nice.

The Huskies will try to regroup this week against hated rival Oregon. They play at another level at home, so this one should be interesting; but it sure would have been nice to come into this game with a two game winning streak instead of a second heartbreaking loss in three weeks.

Washington Huskies (3-3) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-2)
Saturday, October 17, 7:15 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Arizona State -6.5

Sam’s Take (28 – 13):

Washington has lost five straight to Arizona State, but I believe the Huskies have a great chance to win in Tempe this Saturday. It will be very interesting to see how Jake Locker and the UW offense perform against an aggressive and violent ASU front seven.

This has the look of a game that will require Locker to utilize his running ability for the second straight week (92 yards rushing vs. UA), because the Devils will likely force him out of the pocket throughout the game.

If there is one area where the ASU defense is vulnerable, it is in the secondary. I am certain Steve Sarkisian realizes this, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him call a few deep passing plays early in order to utilize a gifted (yet strangely inconsistent) UW receiving corps. ASU is not built to play catch up, and a couple of quick scores will put U-Dub in great position to win. Running the ball into the teeth of the Devils D is a bad idea, so utilizing misdirection plays against a defense that often over pursues will also be a key for Washington.

Arizona QB Nick Foles picked apart the Washington defense last week, but Nick Holt’s unit tightened up in the red zone. Danny Sullivan and the ASU offense have shown no potency on offense so far this season, and there is little reason to believe anything will change this week (unless QB Brock Osweiler has an unlikely breakout performance in a reserve role of course). If Holt’s unit can continue to be opportunistic, especially inside its own 20-yard line, the Huskies should handle the Devils offense without much problem.

Washington has not won on the road in a long time (Nov. 3, 2007), but I think this is the week that they get over the hump.

Prediction: Washington 24 – Arizona State 17

Washington Player to Keep an Eye On: WR James Johnson - Johnson was quiet last week, but he should be a key contributor in the passing game against ASU.

Arizona State Player to Keep an Eye On: LB Vontaze Burfict - Burfict has already lived up to all of the hype. Now the freshman phenom will have to help contain Jake Locker when he decides to run.

Dave’s Take (31 – 10):

Saturday’s game between the Huskies and Sun Devils matches strength VS. strength when Washington’s offense takes the field against ASU’s defense, and weakness VS. weakness when ASU’s offense faces Washington’s defense. So who gets the edge?

Washington ranks 106th nationally in total yards surrendered, giving up over 400 yards a game. They have done a decent job buckling down in the red zone this season, and one of their best games of the season came against USC, who was running a very vanilla offense with Matt Barkley out. Arizona State runs a fairly basic pro style offense centered around Danny Sullivan making easy throws and Dimitri Nance getting plenty of carries; Nick Holt could hone in on that and get his unit ready.

While I can see the Sun Devils struggling on offense, I feel like the difference in this game is the Sun Devils defense. Technically, by the numbers, not much separates UW and ASU offensively; Washington gains only about seven more yards per game and has scored three points less per game. The difference? Jake Locker seems to have a killer instinct and the ability to finish drives and capitalize on opportunities; the Sun Devils haven’t really shown that on offense.

Defensively, though, I think the Sun Devils are better equipped than most teams to stop Locker. Sporting the nation’s third ranked defense (only 221.8 yards allowed per game), they have an excellent front seven that will make life very hard for Locker and Chris Polk. Washington scored 14 points at Stanford, 16 points against USC, and 23 points (could have easily been 16 points if not for the late TD) against LSU. That’s about where I see them ending up, in the 14-20 range against a very good defense.

So can ASU crack into the 20s? I say yes. We all have that outstanding effort against USC firmly planted in our brains, but this has not been a good defensive football team, and I think ASU can do just enough.

Prediction: Arizona State 23 – Washington 17

Arizona Wildcats (3-1) vs. Washington Huskies (2-3)
Saturday, October 10, 7:00 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Arizona -3.0

Sam’s Take (25 – 12):

After a very disappointing (and controversial) loss in South Bend, Washington must refocus for a critical conference game against Arizona. This game is huge for both the Huskies and ‘Cats, but especially for U-Dub. For all the great things that Sark’s Dawgs have done so far this season, they cannot afford to move to 2-4 (1-2 in Pac-10) or else the road to the postseason becomes much tougher.

Arizona on the other hand, is well rested and feeling good after their big win in Corvallis against Oregon State two weeks ago. The offense now belongs to QB Nick Foles, and if his first start is any indication of what is to come, the Pac-10 better watch out for the Wildcats. RB Nic Grigsby comes back this week too, so Sonny Dykes will have all of his playmakers available (except for Gronk of course).

While UA certainly has all the ingredients necessary to win this game, I believe UW plays at another level inside Husky Stadium (especially on defense). I expect QB Jake Locker to take control of this game, while also getting help from RB Chris Polk. The UA secondary is as gifted as any in the conference, but I still think the Washington receivers will come up with some big plays.

I look for Sark’s Huskies to put the Notre Dame debacle behind them by claiming an important Pac-10 win over a very good Arizona team.

Prediction: Washington 30 – Arizona 27

Arizona Player to Keep an Eye On: DE Brooks Reed - Reed will be coming after Locker all night, and this could be his breakout game after a slow start so far in ’09.

Washington Player to Keep an Eye On: CB Desmond Trufant - Trufant showcased his promising ability against Notre Dame, and he could be a key to stopping Foles and Co. this week.

Dave’s Take (29 – 8):

Five weeks into the season, and we still really don’t know a whole lot about where these two teams stand in the conference. For both of them, a win here would certainly help matters.

With the USC upset came something the Huskies haven’t had in a while; expectations. They haven’t been able to meet those expectations in the two games since, getting crushed by Stanford and losing in heartbreaking fashion last week in Notre Dame. Now back at home, the Huskies have the opportunity to prove that the Trojans game was a sign of good things to come, not a fluke.

Washington’s offense is clicking, no doubt about it. Jake Locker is finding his receivers and using his feet when he can’t; and freshman sensation Chris Polk is keeping defenses honest with his outstanding play in the running game. The defense, however, comes into Saturday’s game a huge question mark.

For Arizona, it’s a chance to not only improve to 4-1 and a perfect 2-0 in the conference, but to do so with a pair of tough road wins. The Wildcats get three straight games at home after this one, and they’d love to head into that stretch undefeated in the conference.

With Nic Grigsby’s return, Nick Foles’ job should be even easier this week. Foles is no Jimmy Clausen, but he is an excellent pocket passer who should be able to exploit the weaknesses in the Washington secondary.

Washington’s defense plays better at home, but I still think Arizona has the edge. They’ve had an extra week to prepare for Washington on both sides of the ball, and if Nick Foles brings his A-game like he did against Oregon State, Arizona comes out on top. That’s no guarantee though; this will only be Foles’ second start, and against an explosive team like the Huskies, the margin for error is extremely slim. But I think he’s up to the task.

Prediction: Arizona 38 – Washington 27

Washington Huskies 2-3 Overall (1-1 Conference)

This Week’s Score: Notre Dame 37 – Washington 30 (OT)

Next Week’s Opponent: Arizona

The major concern coming into the 2009 season for the Huskies was the defense. It still is.

Just one week after getting shredded for 34 points and giving up a career day on the ground to Toby Gerhart (a career-high 200 yards, part of 321 total rushing yards surrendered), this week the Huskies got destroyed through the air to the tune of a few more career days. Jimmy Claussen had a career-high 422 yards, mainly exploiting the secondary with his favorite target Golden Tate, who racked up an insane (and yes, career-high) 244 yards on nine catches.

As far as silver lining goes, the Huskies did hold Notre Dame to only two touchdowns in regulation, bending-not-breaking on five drives that ended in Fighting Irish field goals. But that isn’t much of a consolation prize in a game that Notre Dame virtually moved the ball at will en route to 530 total yards. Nick Holt has a lot of work to do with this unit.

Offensively, the Huskies had an outstanding day. Chris Polk seems to be getting better every week, carrying the ball 22 times for 136 yards Saturday for a dominating 6.2 yards per carry. Sophomore Jermaine Kearse led the wide receiving corps with eight catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. And Jake Locker bounced back from a less-than-stellar effort in Stanford, completing 55% of his passes for 281 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

The Huskies are creating quite a catch-22 for their fans this year; the offense is so talented and exciting that it is hard to get too depressed about the defense, but the defense is looking so bad that it is hard to get excited about the offense.

This week’s game against Arizona should provide more offensive fireworks on both sides of the ball, but the Huskies will hope that a return home might be what the doctor ordered for the defense to put out a few of those fireworks on the Wildcats’ side.