There just seems to be a different feel in the air this year compared to last. The Huskies will be playing a highly ranked Boise State team in a lesser bowl than last year's carpet burner. The likes of Robert Griffin III have been replaced by Joe Southwick....who? The defense's are taking center stage for two teams more recently known to have a tough time stopping my high school's JV team (which went 2-7 this year). And all this coming off of a bitter loss to the in-state rival, compared to last year's triumphant victory at would soon be the Dawgs new home at the CLink.
A lot has changed but it feels like much of the same. Still plenty to look forward to in tomorrow's game, don't get me wrong. The chance at taking the first round of a two round heavyweight bout between the Huskies and Boise State, the promise of a solid game getting the Husky Loyal Army excited about next year and what it will mean to be back in Husky Stadium, watching Keith "Teeth" Price return to form and, lastly, having something to be excited about. BUT, this is all too familiar. The "what if?" game. What if the Huskies beat the Cougars and go 8-4? What if the Huskies could've showed up against USC? What if Keith Price had a repeat performance of his Sophomore year? What if? What if? What if? We Dawg fans are just waiting for this team to bust loose, and it seems like we are so close. But we are just not there yet. Ever so close, but not there.
A bowl game has the opportunity to create something special. One play that can decide the game, or a relative unknown stepping up and playing the game of his life to give the fans another player to be excited about the next year. This bowl game is special in a very different way and people should be looking forward to it. We love our Huskies and we will stick with them through the bumps in the road. A Dawgs win doesn't erase what happened in the Apple Cup, but it can leave us fans with a better taste in our mouths after what felt like biting into an onion nearly a month ago. A bowl game is funny because a win can provide a team with a boost of morale heading into the offseason, but in the same breath it can leave a team scrambling for much needed changes to make the next year better (see Nick Holt).
I have faith in the Dawgs heading into tomorrow. They have not given me much to think they should win, but I just have that feeling. I have that feeling a strong bowl performance lands us a couple extra really good recruits and gives reason for Boise State to be afraid to come into our house on Montlake next year. The air may taste a little sour right now, but come Christmas, we will have a lot more to be thankful for, I just know it. Huskies win a close one...
Go Dawgs!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment