The team is off to Syracuse today, leaving a day earlier than it normally would for a road game to get acclimated to the time change.

Their early departure means there will be little new news coming out of Husky camp. We have no more scheduled briefings from Tyrone Willingham until after the game Friday night.

I'll first pass along our stories from today --- a look at Vonzell McDowell Jr., and the fact he could become the first true freshman to start a season opener at cornerback since at least 1975; as well as this item on the kicking situation for the Syracuse game.

Both loom critical to UW's success in this game. As others pointed out, UW has started redshirt freshmen at CB to start a season, most recently both Mel Miller and Jermaine Smith in 1996. But according to the UW media guide, the only true frosh to start at all since 1976 are Nate Robinson in 2002 and Derrick Johnson in 2000.

In fact, UW hasn't had a true frosh of any kind start since 2004, when Jordan White-Frisbee and Greyson Gunheim each became regular starters on the defensive line.

IN OTHER NEWS. ...

--- One of you asked about Jordan Murchison. Willingham said Tuesday there is no change in his status, and as reported before, he has a court date for Thursday. So I don't think he's a viable option any time soon, if he ever returns.

--- Glad to see Husky Fan in New York take the answer about Jameel McClain's sacks. However, I notice that only adds up to 7.5 and not the 9.5 he was credited for last year. But breaking down his stats in the media guide does, indeed, only give him 7.5. I'm thinking there's a mistake in the media guide somewhere. Anyway, uptshot is that McClain had at least five of his sacks in the first five games of the season and didn't get as many once Syracuse was playing solely Big East foes. However, he is regarded as a pretty big-time player. Here's one draft expert ranking him as the No. 69 prospect for the 2008 NFL Draft.

--- This was posted on the comments board, but I'll put it here as well. It's an article from Fox Sports detailing how the season turned out on one playing of the NCAA 07 video game, with the Huskies finishing 24th in the nation and third in the Pac-10.

--- Sounds as if Reggie Williams got the message and will make the Jacksonville roster after all.

--- Here's an update on Isaiah Stanback in Dallas, though I think the author misses the point on Stanback's time as a WR at UW. He wasn't a decoy at all. He was a full-fledged receiver in the 2003 season, starting three games and making 10 catches. By the final third of the season, he was a regular member of the receiver rotation. That doesn't necessarily take away from the larger point that he hasn't played the position much, however.

--- Here's a good overview of Marques Tuiasosopo's situation with the Jets.

--- Sounds like Dashon Goldson's elbow injury is worse than originally portrayed as it is now being reported he's out 3-4 weeks.

--- Though there is no more access to the team until after the game, I still plan to update the blog regularly with whatever I come across. That includes my breakdown of the game and a prediction, which will run Thursday someday, as well as Pac-10 picks. As always, your input in all those areas is much encouraged.