Trying to make a return to their 90’s self, the Washington Huskies find themselves at 7-5 and in Las Vegas to face Boise State and (maybe) head coach Chris Peterson (10-2). After being lured away from USC where he occupied the offensive coordinator post under Pete Carroll, Huskie head coach Steve Sarkisian is doing his best to bring the program back. Since taking the job inheriting a team coming off an 0-12 season in 2008, “Sark” has led Washington to marks of 5-7, 6-6, 7-6 and this season’s 7-5. The good news in Seattle is that it is a relatively young team led by quarterback Keith Price and sophomores Bishop Sankey at running back, wide receiver Kasen Williams and Austin Seferian-Jenkins at tight end. Though they were crushed (literally) by Oregon, USC and Arizona, the Huskies were one of two … [Read More]

The Buckeyes did a much better job today of warming up into this game from the get go rather than slowly easing their way into it. DeShaun Thomas pretty much took care of that by himself with … [Read More]

Even though the season is still young, the Buckeyes and Huskies already have a common opponent. Ohio State defeated Albany 82-60 in its first game of the year. Washington fell to the Great Danes 63-62, which kind of opened some eyes around Columbus.

It … [Read More]

It’d be easy to say that this week was “spook-tacular”, and “scary” for a lot of top teams, but that would be way to easy. So, let’s just admit that Saturday once again proved that we’re fans of the greatest sport in the world; because anything can happen once the ball is kicked.

As a promise to a “friend” that’s a Notre Dame fan who I’ve been justifiably ripping for the last ten years, we’re leading off this week with the Irish’s huge win in Norman over the Sooners.  Like most of America who pays attention to the sport, I imagined that Oklahoma would stomp a mud hole into Brian Kelley’s team- Stoop’s defense, high powered offense… … [Read More]

Coach Jim Tressel’s public persona has taken a beating over the past thirteen months, and understandably so. His transgressions deserved to be punished, and they were.

It’s still my contention that much of the animus and vitriol that’s been aimed at Jim Tressel and the Ohio State program, though, is due not to the magnitude of the infractions, but instead because the “fallen from grace” narrative is one that is attractive. It makes us feel better about ourselves, “Look at that hypocrite… see, I’m not so bad!” and provides an easy way to gain ratings and readers in our 24-7 media frenzy.

No one reads stories about “Guy did what he was supposed to do, … [Read More]

The Basics: Thursday, December 29th, 2011, 9:00 PM EST on ESPN, from San Antonio. Washington (7-5, 5-4 Pac 12) and Baylor (9-3, 6-3 Big 12).

History: Ah, the Alamo… Here’s the jokes we’ve made at this games’ expense in the past.  This historical festivity has seen such great matchups as Texas Tech’s last stand minus the Capn’, and the introduction of the Shot-Ginn (more later).

Washington: Year one of AL (After Luck), the Huskies got ready for the new stadium by putting together a relatively middle of the road team. … [Read More]

This is my worst nightmare.

A bit of a confession… I was a North Carolina fan as a kid (not living in Ohio), and loved Jordan, Perkins, Worthy, and Dean Smith basketball. Then, to make things worse, I did a grad degree in Lexington and worked with the athletic tutoring program during the Pitino/Mashburn era… yup, I was around for “The Shot“. Add to that some family in West Virginia (it’s all relative), a six year stint in Seattle, and the fact that I’ve finally come to my senses and follow Ohio State full time and this year’s East Region is a personal … [Read More]

Nebraska (10-3, 6-3 Big 12) vs. Washington (6-6, 5-4 PAC10)

December 30, 2010 10:00 PM ET

This year’s sponsor is Bridgeport Education, a start diversion from the Pacific Life legacy that we’ve grown used to. As a partner in the higher educational process, it’s interesting to see that this bowl game (a tax free educational endeavor) has picked up money from another (presumably) tax free educational provider.  Wonder what we’ll learn?

Since this match up is a repeat of a game from earlier this season, here’s a repeat of part of my preview from last year:

I’ll be honest- of all the “pre-CS” games, the Holiday Bowl has always been one of my favorites. Sure, the Buckeyes have defeated anything Mormon that they faced in the game, but my formative memories of this clash are as follows:

1. BYU finishing the 1984 season by beating Mich1gAAn and starting my interest
… [Read More]