Sadly, we were unsuccessful in our attempt to catch the Oregon State game on TV, which only leads some of us who were on our exploration to reconsider our thoughts about the so-called "East Cost bias.''

We went to about 10 different bars and pubs and couldn't find the game anywhere, leaving us to wonder if people out here don't know about Pac-10 football simply because they can't find it.

Trust us. We tried. It was nowhere to be found in Syracuse.

But seeing that Oregon State won 24-7 in a game I called as a 24-14 win for the Beavers has me thinking, for once, that maybe I know a little something.

Which could be good news for Husky fans since I'm calling for a fairly dominating Husky win against the Orange, predicting a 24-13 win for UW in the pages of the Seattle Times tomorrow.

Here's what I wrote for Friday's paper:

"If the Huskies can overcome the unique setting and raucous crowd, and some first-game jitters from young players such as Jake Locker, it should be a happy trip home. The Huskies ought to be able to get the running game going centered around Locker's talents, assuming turnovers are kept to a minimum, and the defensive line should be able to get enough pressure on the QB to take some of the onus off the secondary. Washington 24, Syracuse 13."

In a nutshell, I think UW's advantage running the ball on offense will be greater than its apparent disadvanage defending the pass, which should be enough to get the win.

However, I disagree with the poster who said I'm placing too much importance on this game. I agree that this is a team that should get better as the year goes one, but every team in college football could say that. But the more I look at it, I'm not sure UW can make it to a bowl game without winning tomorrow. Can UW go 7-5 against the rest of its schedule without winning tomorrow, which is what would be necessary? I'm not so sure.

But I think UW should have a big edge running the ball considering Syracuse's problems at linebacker, and its iffy secondary, and I think UW will have a significant edge with its defensive line against Syracuse's offensive line, which should allow the Huskies to cover for some youth in the secondary.

So unless I'm surprised, this should be a productive trip for the Huskies.

--- Also, I think I should reconsider my list of freshmen who may play tomorrow and include Victor Aiyewa, who may see some time on special teams. That would make seven true freshmen seeing playing time, which would be the most of the Tyrone Willingham era and maybe signifiy that this recruiting class could turn out to be pretty darn good.

--- To those who asked, UW had only two true frosh play last year --- Donald Butler and Paul Homer. Pretty sure the only ones to play in 2005 were Chris Stevens and Darrion Jones, so potentially playing as many as seven this year is significant.

--- Should add that it was fairly crispy here tonight, probably in the high 60s or so with a litte wind, so I think the Huskies are definitely catching a little break with the weather.

--- The pizza place I attended earlier was Cosmos and I heartily recommend it. Two large slices and a large coke for $5.11. Hard to beat that.

--- Lastly, thanks to Nic for the link to Marques Tuiasosopo having a solid game tonight. Not sure how much it's going to help him since it sounds as if the Jets have three QBs they want to keep --- Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens and Brad Smith --- but glad to see Marques have a good game for a night.