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Times reporter Bob Condotta keeps the news coming about the Montlake Dawgs.

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February 27, 2008 12:46 PM

ESPN looks ahead

I'll pass along a couple of stories from ESPN.com previewing spring football for the Pac-10.

First, here are ESPN's pre-spring power ratings with the Huskies listed eighth ahead of only Stanford and Washington State.

Here's the complete order:

1, USC
2, Arizona State
3, Oregon
4, Oregon State
5, UCLA
6, Cal
7, Arizona
8, Washington
9, Stanford
10, Washington State

My quick thoughts? The conference could really be a jumble. Other than USC at the top and the bottom two teams there's a lot of uncertainty, a lot of potential for movement up and down once the season starts. Everyone seems to have some significant questions and how they answer those between now and September will tell a lot about what happens in the fall. I'm sure almost all of you will protest UW being eighth. But coming off four straight losing seasons, and with the uncertainty at DL, RB and WR (and the fact that the biggest strength --- Locker --- is still an unfinished product), it's understandable that those looking from the outside will be pretty skeptical about the Huskies. I would expect this will be fairly typical for where the Huskies will be selected in pre-season polls. Also, Oregon State really seems too high given all their losses.

Here also is ESPN's look at what to watch for each team during spring practice. (And an FYI --- the date listed for the UW spring game is incorrect. As reported here and elsewhere locally in the last day, the spring game is April 26).

Speaking of spring practice, I've gotten a couple of e-mails from people wondering why some teams start earlier than UW and if the Huskies are at a disadvantage as a result. The answer to the latter is no. Everyone gets the same amount of practices --- 15 --- no matter when they start. When teams hold practice often revolves around class schedules --- whether it's a quarter or semester school, when spring break falls, etc. So starting earlier doesn't mean they get more practice time in, just that they get it done sooner.

TSN CHIPS IN, AS WELL --- Also, here is a pre-spring look at the Pac-10 from The Sporting News that isn't quite as detailed and just lists the teams alphabetically.

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