In contrast to much of the rest of the college football world, things are quiet at Montlake this week. The Huskies hope for the Alamo Bowl — and no trouble.
Author: Art Thiel
Art Thiel
Never having met a metaphor he could not twist beyond recognition, Art has been illuminating, agitating, amusing and annoying Puget Sound sports readers for a long time. Along with Steve Rudman, he co-founded Sports Press Northwest because it didnt seem right that the Google monster should aggregate daily journalism into oblivion without at least a flesh wound from somebody. Thiel and Rudman labored under the Seattle Post-Intelligencer globe until the print edition died an undeserved death in March, 2009. Art continued on at its online successor seattlepi.com while working on SPNWs creation. His radio commentaries can be heard Friday and Saturday mornings and Friday afternoon on KPLU-FM 88.9. In 2003 he wrote the definitive book about the Seattle Mariners, Out of Left Field, which became a regional bestseller. In 2009, along with Rudman and KJR 950 afternoon host Mike Gastineau, Thiel authored The Great Book of Seattle Sports Lists, a cross between historylink.org and Mad Magazine that has become mandatory reading for any sports fan who has an indoor bathroom. A graduate of Pacific Lutheran University as well as two dead papers and a live one, the News Tribune of Tacoma, he has become a fan of entrepreneurial online journalism because it allows him to continue a lifelong passion to take the English language to places it rarely visits willingly, and does not involve the cleaning of kennels or stables.
Losers of six in a row, Redskins find a way to win in fourth quarter, while Seahawks find no way to play by the rules in galling 23-17 defeat.
Even the lamentable defense played well in a 38-21 triumph over Washington State, giving the Huskies three consecutive Apple Cup wins; meanwhile, WSU’s Wulff apparently is fired.
To sack and not be sacked: That is Apple Cup goal for two floundering teams that can neither protect QBS nor pressure the foes’ QBs. Jobs will ride on who does best with the worst.
Seahawks fans have seen this game plan before — run the ball until it cannot be run anymore. Against St. Louis, the worst rush defense in the NFL, there’s no other option.
Bowl eligibility has been secured, but unlike last season’s late rush to San Diego, the sagging Huskies could go to the game on a four-game losing streak.
A 40-17 loss to USC, which included dominance in all phases, has Washington wondering what is going on with their once-formidable ability to score.
Paterno’s own words shows he still thinks his presence is more valuable than his absence. Penn State needs to get him out the door — and forfeit the game Saturday as well.
The Huskies’ regression against the Ducks was as much about mismanaged emotions as it was Oregon’s style, neither of which will be an issue against the Trojans.
Washington’s defense mostly did its part, but the Huskies offense was mysteriously dysfunctional in a 34-17 loss to Oregon that closed out Husky Stadum on a downer.