INSIDE SLANT
The Steve Sarkisian era of Washington Husky football begins in potentially rather ominous fashion --- a Saturday night visit from LSU.
But with a five-year contract in hand and the knowledge that rebuilding a team that went 0-12 last season doesn't figure to happen overnight, Sarkisian is looking at the longer term.
"I don't worry about them," he said. "It's not about LSU. It's about us. No offense to those guys, but we've got to worry about ourselves."
Sarkisian means that he's hoping to see progress in this game in terms of how the team plays, whatever the scoreboard ultimately reads.
The rookie coach has injected the program with energy since his hire last December, and observers have marveled at the high-pace of the team's fall camp practices, which unlike his predecessor, Tyrone Willingham, were open to the public.
"I feel really good," he said. "You never know until you have to play. But I feel good about the way camp has gone. ... I think our guys are responding really well. They are starting to feel like 'OK, this is really how we practice, the intensity we practice with is normal.' We're just trying to expand their comfort zone as best we can."
Camp was also largely a success in achieving another stated Sarkisian objective --- staying healthy. Heading into game week, the Huskies had not lost any projected starters to injuries that might hold them out of the LSU game and only two players who loomed as two-deep backups went down.
The Huskies, though, have some reason for optimism, despite being listed as much as 17-point underdogs against the Tigers.
Junior quarterback Jake Locker has stayed healthy through camp and appeared to be grasping Sarkisian's offense, which calls for more pro-style sets and more throwing out of the pocket.
And Sarkisian said he was pleasantly surprised by some of the team's skill talent, especially the depth at tailback, where redshirt freshman Chris Polk --- who for a while was a commit to USC --- looms as the starter. The offensive line remains a question, however, especially a right side that features two starters who have never played a college game on the offensive line.
The defensive front seven remained stable throughout camp and could become a strength with three seniors leading the way -- end Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and linebackers Donald Butler and E.J. Savannah.
But the secondary remains more unsettled and will be severely tested by LSU.
NOTES, QUOTES
--The visit by LSU will be the first to Husky Stadium by an SEC team since Alabama came to town in 1978. The Tide won that game 20-17. UW hasn't played an SEC team since beating Florida in the Freedom Bowl in 1989.
--The Huskies recently hired two interesting names as assistant strength coaches working with the football team --- legendary UW QB Marques Tuiasosopo and former USC defensive end Kenechi Udeze. Udeze played at USC when Sarkisian and new UW defensive coordinator Nick Holt coached there.
SERIES HISTORY: LSU 1, Washington 0 (LSU won 40-14 in Baton Rouge in 1983).
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: QB Jake Locker remains one of the most talented players at his position in college football and is the "X-factor" that could make the Huskies a lot more competitive than preseason rankings might indicate. It appeared in camp that he was beginning to adjust to Sarkisian's new offense, featuring more pocket passing and lots of play-action. Locker won't be called on to throw deep as often, probably, concentrating more on higher-percentage throws. Locker is a dynamic runner and while coaches say he won't run as much as in the past, he still figures to use his legs quite a bit. The O-line remains a question mark but does have three starters back. The team figures to use more I-formation sets which may be a better fit for some of the team's tailbacks. The tight ends also figure to be used quite a bit more.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: With nine players returning who have significant starting experience, the Huskies have hope for being much improved this season. Schematically, the Huskies will use primarily a 4-3. But coordinator Nick Holt promises lots of disguised coverage looks in the secondary and as much pressure as he thinks the secondary can handle. The particular task against LSU will be containing the Tigers' running game and tailback Charles Scott. LSU figures to try to wear down the Huskies with their big offensive line to take some of the pressure off of sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson, making just his third career start.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "It's just my personality to get after the offense and attack all angles and get the ball back from the offense. We need to be aggressive, and I think the kids will have a little more fun playing that type of style of defense. That is our personality on defense, starting from the top with coach Sark. He wants to attack on offense and defense he wants to get the ball back. So to do that, you need to get after the offense, so that's what we'll do." --- New defensive coordinator Nick Holt on his plans for the defense.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
THIS WEEK'S GAME: LSU at Washington, Saturday, Sept. 5 -- The Steve Sarakisian era kicks off under the lights against one of the tougher opponents imaginable. But simply keeping it close would signal significant progress.
KEYS TO THE GAME: A full house will be waiting to explode should UW do anything well early in the game. It's critical that the Huskies get the crowd into the game. Offensively, UW needs to take care of the ball and not drop passes and stay on the field as long as it can. LSU's defense figures to try to put pressure on Jake Locker early and he has the ability to make plays with his feet. Defensively, the Huskies have to force Jordan Jefferson into passing situations and not let the Tigers dictate the game offensively.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
QB Jake Locker -- The talented junior is fully healthy as he enters the season and in his fourth year and with a new coach, could be ready for a true breakout season. Task No. 1 is to get some confidence going early with the passing game. Locker has shown improved touch in camp.
RB Chris Polk -- The redshirt freshman will apparently be the first tailback out of the gate for the Huskies. UW figures, however, to use a committee approach, also getting the likes of Johri Fogerson and Curtis Shaw on the field, as well. But Polk is the most versatile of all and any success the Huskies can have in mounting a traditional running game will loosen things up for Locker.
DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim -- The senior is the leader of the defense and a four-year starter. He will likely be matched up often against LSU All-American candidate LT Ciron Black and has to at least hold him to a standoff.
OLB E.J.Savannah -- Back after sitting out last season, Savannah will be in position to make lots of tackles and has to prove sure-handed and not let small plays become big ones.
ROSTER REPORT:
--Backup OLB Matt Houston could be out a few more weeks with a biceps injury.
--S Jason Wells, a starter in 2006 and 2007 before suffering knee and Achilles injuries, re-aggravated the latter early in camp and is likely out for the LSU game. He figures to be a backup this season.
--OT Skyler Fancher, who figured to have a key role providing depth up front though likely not as a starter, re-injured an ankle in camp and could be out a while.
--The most significant position change came right before camp when sophomore Johir Fogerson was moved from safety to tailback, his preferred position. Fogerson thrived at the switch back the spot he played the first month of last season and figures to see significant playing time.
Previous Report: 04/27/2009
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