September 10, 2009

Olin Buchanan
Rivals.com College Football

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Still, it's the longest losing streak in the Huskies' history, and it has been painful.

It includes two losses to archrival Washington State in the Apple Cup. There was a 28-27 loss to BYU when a bogus illegal-celebration penalty on Washington quarterback Jake Locker forced the Huskies to attempt a game-tying extra point from 15 yards farther out. It was blocked. The skid also includes a 56-0 loss to USC, a 41-point loss to California and blowout losses to both Stoops brothers - Bob of Oklahoma and Mike of Arizona.

Yet, it all should come to an end Saturday when the Huskies play host to Idaho, which has posted just four wins since 2007. Two of those victories, including last week, were over hapless New Mexico State. The other two were over Football Championship Subdivision teams - Cal Poly in '07 and Idaho State in '08. Last season, Idaho lost to Arizona 70-0. The Vandals also fell to Utah State and San Diego State, which combined for five wins in '08.

But Washington has reasons other than Idaho's futility to expect victory.

Last week, the Huskies gained 478 yards in a 31-23 loss to LSU of the mighty SEC.

"That was a nice steppingstone for our program to know where we're headed and what we can accomplish in the future," new Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian said.

The Huskies likely would have accomplished more in the past if Locker hadn't been hurt. He missed the final eight games of last season because of a thumb injury.

Locker passed for 321 yards and two touchdown and made several key throws on third down to extend drives.

"I'm proud of Jake. He performed well, especially on third down; I think he was 8-of-11," Sarkisian said. "The future is very bright for him. I think he can perform even better."

He should, particularly this weekend. Last season, LSU ranked 32nd in the country in total defense and Idaho was 116th.

Of course, no victory can be taken for granted, especially when one more loss will put the Huskies in the NCAA record book. But the Huskies would deserve to be there if they lose to Idaho.

KEY MATCHUP: Stanford RB Toby Gerhart vs. Wake Forest run defense. Gerhart opened the season with 121 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Washington State. That was the seventh time in his past eight games Gerhart hit the 100-yard mark. Slowing him is a top priority for the Wake Forest defense, which allowed 197 rushing yards in an opening loss to Baylor. Gerhart exceeded 100 rushing yards in four of Stanford's five wins last season (Anthony Kimble did it in the other win), so a productive running game is vital to the Cardinal's success.

PLAYERS ON THE SPOT: Oregon's offensive linemen. It would be too easy and perhaps unfair to pick on a running back who has to fill in for suspended LeGarrette Blount. The Ducks had redshirt freshman LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner and senior Andre Crenshaw practicing with the first-team this week. In addition, sophomore backup QB Darron Thomas, a talented runner, received some looks. But no running back is going to be effective unless the rebuilt line shows marked improvement. With four new starters up front, the Ducks managed just 31 rushing yards in a 19-8 loss to Boise State. The run-blocking has to improve to keep QB Jeremiah Masoli out of obvious passing situations; Oregon's passing game can't be counted on.

NUMBERS GAME: Arizona State LB Mike Nixon and UCLA FS Rahim Moore each had three interceptions last week. They're tied for the NCAA lead with Wyoming freshman SS Shamiel Gary, who picked off three passes against Weber State. The player among those three most likely to add to their interception total would seem to be Moore. UCLA plays Tennessee, and Vols QB Jonathan Crompton was intercepted twice by Western Kentucky last week. Arizona State is idle, while Wyoming plays Texas.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"Marvin Jones, we've been waiting for him. We knew what he was capable of. It was just waiting for him to get in." - California coach Jeff Tedford, on Jones, a sophomore wide receiver who had three catches, including two acrobatic grabs, in the Bears' first game.

"You will not find anybody else in the world that wants to beat UCLA more than Ed Orgeron and Lane Kiffin, so these boys better be ready." - Orgeron, Tennessee's defensive line coach, on Kiffin's weekly coaching show.

"I don't think anyone clearly separated themselves. If we feel Kevin is playing extremely well and we are really, really hot, there's a chance Marshall could not play." - Washington State coach Paul Wulff, on his quarterbacks, Kevin Lopina and Marshall Lobbestael, to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

ETC.: UCLA junior K Kai Forbath converted a 50-yard field goal last week, which was his seventh 50-yard field goal of his career. That's a school record. He's never missed from 50 yards or beyond. ... UCLA offered free tickets to southern California firefighters and their families for the season opener against San Diego State and is repeating the offer for the Sept. 19 game against Kansas State. ... With Bruins CB Aaron Hester sidelined with a broken right fibula, Courtney Viney will start there this week. ... USC C Kristofer O'Dowd, who is recovering from a dislocated left knee cap, is practicing this week and should play against Ohio State. He missed the opener against San Jose State. If he does play against the Buckeyes, Jeff Byers, who started at center last week, moves to left guard. ... Arizona coach Mike Stoops announced QB Matt Scott will again start in Saturday's game against Northern Arizona. Scott and Nick Foles were supposedly in a close competition in August, but Scott played every snap in a 19-6 season-opening win over Central Michigan. Stoops said he hopes to get Foles into the game this week. Arizona TE Rob Gronkowski isn't expected to play Saturday. He missed last week's game because of a strained back and hasn't been cleared for contact. ... Arizona State K Thomas Weber attempted six field goals and converted five in the Sun Devils' opener. The five field goals tied a school record. ... The status of Cal TE Spencer Ladner is uncertain after he injured his knee in the opener. S Sean Cattouse suffered a concussion in the game, but he is expected to be cleared to play against Eastern Washington on Saturday. ... Oregon FS T.J. Ward has a sprained ankle and may not play against Purdue, though he said he expects to be ready. ... Oregon State coach Mike Riley awarded a scholarship to former walk-on Damola Adeniji, who is now a starting split end. The scholarship became available when backup OT Brent McNeil left the team because of "personal issues." ... Lyle Moevao, Oregon State's starting quarterback last season, recently was diagnosed with shingles. He was already trying to come back from rotator cuff surgery. ... Stanford T Matt Kopa is expected to miss at least six weeks with a broken bone in his left foot. ... UCLA's road trip to Tennessee should raise some concern. Since 1980, Pac-10 teams are 3-16 when facing SEC teams on their home fields. ... Washington LB E.J. Savannah, who was suspended last year, led the Huskies with 11 tackles against LSU. ... Washington State's football team has been affected by a swine flu outbreak, which has infected about 2,500 students. Wulff said 16 players have had flu symptoms. ... Stanford redshirt freshman QB Andrew Luck had an unspectacular but solid debut against Washington State. He was 11-of-23 passing for 193 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Last season's starter, Tavita Pritchard, threw at least one interception in eight games last season. ... Oregon State, which plays at UNLV on Saturday, is 1-7 in regular-season non-conference road games over the past five seasons. Plus, Pac-10 teams were 1-6 against Mountain West Conference teams last season; that included a UNLV victory over Arizona State.

Olin Buchanan is the senior college football writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at olin@rivals.com.