2012 Season Preview: Part 2

Season Preview Weeks 4-6

Week 4: Stanford at "home"
      This is quite possibly the biggest game in Husky football recent history. A lot of talk around Husky football is expectations. The problem with the Dawgs, as of the last 10 years, was the expectation that they beat teams they are supposed to and hope they upset one team they are not supposed to beat. And that is not what traditional Husky teams were built to do (see Whammy in Miami). Not only does Stanford lie right in the forefront of a season that can put this Husky team right back on the map, but they also start the string of games against the Pac-12 elite (which is a new thing for the Pac-12, to have teams are dominant and relevant on the national scene).
      Yes, Stanford lost their best player in Andrew Luck since John Elway, or Doug Baldwin if you're a Seahawks fan, and they lost some really good tight ends and linebackers, but what they did is come back with a very good offensive line and defensive core that is going to make things tough for all Pac-12 opponents, especially the Huskies. What gives this game special meaning is that the Huskies have more to play for than the Stanford Cardinal. Although Stanford has been playing well ever since they upset USC in the game of the century in Crenshaw a few years back, this is a different team without the quarterback they banked on with a coach who has been riding the coat tails of Harbaugh even since he departed for the NFL. They are ranked in the top 25, again, going into this season, but without a lot of firepower. Stepfan Taylor is a beast and is eventually going to do amazing things in the NFL. I believe that the Huskies are going to be back to full strength and do what they did last year and give teams with a great running back trouble. But, he still runs for 130 with 2 TD's, which will be nothing for him in a year in which he averages 150 and 2-3 TD's. The Husky offense has a chance to do some things at "home" with a healthy James Johnson back, even against that Stanford D that is incredibly resilient. Like I said in the beginning, this is an incredibly important game for the Huskies, and puts a lot of importance on the future of this program than any other game in recent history. Can the Huskies buck the trend and beat a team they match up well against, even though they don't have they strength and power of the Cadinal? Or do the Huskies wait another year to see if they start making a name for themselves nationally beating teams that are above their prowess?
Prediciton: Huskies lose a close one at "home" 28-24, and are relegated to a 2-2 record going into a tougher stretch. Team record: 2-2 (0-1)

Week 5: Oregon at Autzen Stadium aka hell, hippie convention and county fair all put together
          Another tough one for the Husky Loyalist to type about because it just does not look good for the Huskies. This, unfortunately, is an Oregon Duck that matches up incredibly well against a Husky team that cannot catch up with the speed of the Ducks. Defensive Coordinator Justin Wilcox is coming in and changing the culture of the Husky defense, which is so important considering what we have had to live with the past few years under Holt (and I'm still scared to say that even though he is in Arkansas and still can't kick my ass because he is a public figure). This Husky defense is going to shave off a significant amount of yards and points per game, but not enough to stop an Oregon team that is now close to leading the nation in yards, TD's and quickest scoring time just about every year. The key to this game is the first half. The Ducks have become notorious for being down at half and giving opponents a fighting chance going into the 2nd, but then turning it on like the first half hadn't even happened. I think the Huskies will actually lead the Ducks going into the half and look like the team we have been waiting for the last decade until the second half comes along and Oregon turns it on. Things change over time, but the Ducks ability to score is going to hamper the Huskies and limit their ability to show off their weapons. One of these days (after the ensuing NCAA investigation) the Huskies will have the upperhand, and things will go back to normal. I can't tell you how much I hate seeing Oregon green/neon yellow everywhere I go and those idiots doing that stupid "O" hand sign. If you are reading this blog, then you probably know what I am talking about. If we continue to follow our Dawgs and support everything they do, one day we will be back on top beating them 42-14 and 42-10 like we did in consecutive years in 2002 and 2003. But for now, the Dukcs may just reign supreme.
My Predicition: Huskies lose bad 45-21, and move to a losing record overall and start Pac-12 on bad note Team record: 2-3 (0-2)

Week 6: University of Southern California at "home"
         This could be one of those games that helps define a season in either a positive OR negative way. Most of you Husky fans will remember the Dawgs beating the "Men of Troy" on last second field goals 2 of the last 3 years in dramatic fashion, some of the greatest memories in recent UW history. USC comes back this year with the top Heisman candidate in Matt Barkley, Robert "I am better than Megatron" Woods, and a defense that will mirror some of the top teams of the early 90's. This team is preseason ranked number one in the country and is the outright favorite to win the PAC-12. What people are forgetting about is their tendency to lose to teams in trap games that can define their road to the national championship (Oregon State, anybody?). This. Is, The, Definition. Of. A. Trap. Game. I'm not sure if I was dramatic enough for everyone there, but this could spell disaster for a team like USC. Last time Barkley was in Seattle, he poo'd the bed and got injured about half way through. None of their players got up for the game and the Huskies went on to win. Same thing happened the next year in the Coliseum, they did not play their game. Don't get me wrong, USC>UW this year, but USC<living up to the pressure. I think the Huskies have a full, healthy roster at their disposal to go against the second toughest matchup of the year (did you already forget about LSU in Death Valley?). This could be a coming out party for any player on the Huskies who decide to show up, and I fully expect some purple and gold to do that this week.
My Prediciton: Huskies lose another close one 35-31 on a last minute drive by Barkley. Team Record: 2-4 (0-3)

So that is going to be the worst stretch for the Huskies all year and is unfortunately going to define what kind of team this is. Luckily I don't know anything and this is just my gut instinct. Chances are UW beats both LSU and USC and loses to San Diego State and WSU at the end of the year because that is what we have become accustomed to. Unfortunately, I just don't see this team pulling any large scale upsets this year. Stay tuned for part 3 of the season preview that looks at weeks 7-9, a much happier stretch of the schedule.