My two cents on the tough schedule discussion is that it can be only a tremendous motivator for the Dawgs to put their best efforts into spring and fall training and everyday in between because there is absolutely no let up in the schedule. In no way am I implying that anyone should be a slacker due to an easy match-up, but come on, that's how upsets happen and they occur in huge numbers every season. So Dawgs, learn from the past but don't look back because there is not one moment for it!

Yeah but USC gets to play Washington, while Washington has to play USC, therefore Washington has the toughest schedule.

Bob - I saw this on ESPN.com.....how come the Seattle Times isn't all over this story? If Tyrone Willingham did this, it would be front page news.

QUOTE

New Washington State coach Paul Wulff has been fretting about his Cougars' lack of depth, but he's found a partial solution even before the start of spring practices on March 17: Reinstate suspended players!

Five Cougars, previously suspended for academic woes or off-field problems, will participate in spring practices, and each is a potential starter next fall. The list includes Andy Roof, who has switched from offensive guard to defensive tackle (sat out 2007 because of multiple alcohol violations), outside linebacker Jason Stripling (academics), receiver Michael Willis (academics), defensive tackle Fevaea'i Ahmu (alcohol violation) and free safety Xavier Hicks (assault arrest).

Hicks gained a degree of infamy when the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported he was arrested in January for second-degree assault for allegedly putting rubbing alcohol in teammate and roommate Grady Maxwell's contact lens case.

UNQUOTE

Mellodawg (bandguy),
There is something seriously wrong with you. I can't put my thumb on it but I will consult a professional. I would hate to sit next to you during the home games except for halftime. Then you would hate to sit next to me.

Mello is a racist. Everyone knows it on this blog. He has mad so many statements that even he can't defend himself.

He has actually stated that Ty was rehired because he is black! If that isn't racist, I don't know what is. He's not a Husky though. Just a stupid duck fan trying to kill the feel good vibe of this off-season.

So sorry dawg fans. Just like last year, this year's schedule is just too darn difficult. Shucks. Guess we'll have to wait for next year, and maybe we'll get lucky and have an easy schedule. Then we will be winning just like the great dawgs of the past.

Man I wish UW would have bought out one of the non-conference games. We’re just not at the level yet to take on a schedule like that. However, it’s spring and I’ve got my purple and gold glasses on, so I’m not going to dwell on negatives. Besides, every year one or two teams make The Leap seemingly from nowhere, so why not us this year?

As a side note, I’ve got tickets to the hoops regionals here today and WSU-ND is the first game; who do I pull for?

Bob, what do you see Notre Dame's record being next year? I imagine the offense will be better though their defense was gutted. Laws will make a nice 3-4 DE in the NFL.

Bob, we play 3 predicted BCS bowl teams. Our schedule is the toughest in the nation, not just the Pac-10.

DenverDawg, I can't tell you who to root for, but I'll be rooting for WSU. I think they're the last NW team so I'll be pulling for them. I've really admired what they've done with their B-ball program.

I don't know Bob, I'd almost rather go on the road and play Virginia rather than the chance we get a hot BYU at home. To me, it's close to a draw.

Also, who do people anticipate being the leader(s) on defense? Butler and/or Savannah, trenton tui if Butler isn't healthy? A senior DB?

Bob, just can't bring himself to give UW credit. The question is if right now BYU (#15 preseason) were playing a road game at UVA (not ranked) who would be favored. The answer is BYU - thus the 'on the road' argument is a thin one at best.

"Also, who do people anticipate being the leader(s) on defense? Butler and/or Savannah, trenton tui if Butler isn't healthy? A senior DB?"

There are vocal leaders and silent leaders (by example). Mason Foster could end up being the former. Te'o-Nesheim, Savannah, Wells, Butler, and Forrester could also end up as leaders, whether vocal or not. I'm looking for Savannah, Wells, and Butler to make big comebacks this season, after injury-plagued seasons in 2007.

Gant --
About once a week (or more), I see you come on here and accuse someone of being a racist. I think maybe you should look in the mirror if you're interested in seeing a true racist. I don't see others on here posting comments that have anything to do with race. It's fine to disagree with folks. But it's totally not cool to call anyone who doesn't agree with your views a racist. So please take your racist hate filled remarks somewhere they are welcome -- like Obama's church!

Don't pay any attention to Gant really. At least I support my arguments with facts and numbers (even if they CAN be disputed). Gant enjoys warping my statements, but that's ok, no one believes him anyway.

Must be unfortunate to be losing the argument to such a horrible, evil person like me, right Gant?

Bob, how many and which of these teams are Division 1-AA (or something something subdivision new name that I'll never remember) and how do the OOC schedules of the Pac-10 compare to other BCS Conferences? Thank you.

MellogDork,

STFU.

Oh man. I can't even type straight!

Mellog, Kellog, Mello Shello,... whatever... just stfu.

And Bob, by Notre Dame returning to it's usual self,do you mean the most overrated and annoying program in all of big-money sports?

At least the Yankees have backed it up in recent times.

I think our opening loss at Oregon, will be at least as tough as Notre Dame at home.

No offense Bob, but I'd take an away game vs Virginia over a home game vs BYU next season in a heartbeat. Homefield alone doesn't give the cavs the advantage, and BYU is bringing back too nasty of an offense to write them off as midmajor trash. Luckily most of the major pundits are aware of this and aren't putting USC over UW in SOS. Jim Mora jr would have the dawgs at 3-0 vs these guys.

Bob,

Seems as though nobody wants to discuss the actual blog entry, but I will.

Not to nitpick, but Arizona State might have the toughest single non-conference game of anyone (home against Georgia). Not that Hawaii was great last year, but Georgia destroyed them in the bowl game. Georgia almost made it to the BCS title game via the back door last year. Georgia has their QB and RB back, their D is fast and tough and I would be surprised if they aren’t a pre-season top 5. That single game alone should warrant a higher than 9th toughest for ASU.

Go Dawgs!

No offense taken at all. I posted it to try to inspire a little off-season discussion. Both of you guys raise good points. That ASU-Georgia game should be a really good one. I just felt ASU's other two games were such gimmes and they are all at home that it makes it a little easier than some of the others. As for UW and USC, fair to say BYU will be better than Virginia. Better than playing Virginia on the road? Maybe. We'll see.

Bob, looking at these schedules and then adding up the fact that all of the pac 10 plays each other, our conference as a whole has a very impressive slate when compared to any other conference!

Unfortunately Arizona did the right thing by getting 3 crap teams scheduled. Too bad UW could not work that out just for this coming season. At least we finally have some depth though! Utah in the mountains and Penn State at Beaver stadium will be tough though.

I'm thinking that I would rank UCLA above Oregon State, but both schedules are pretty comparable. I say that mainly because Hawaii will be a shell of its former self (which, as Georgia showed, wasn't all that much after all).

I think Cal's schedule is probably the least desirable. They play 3 potentially quality teams, but if they win they probably won't get much credit (ie as opposed to last year when they beat up the Vols). And if they lose, well, that will hurt 'em.

Some great games early this year, better than last year, but the best game is probably still going to be the Ohio State vs. Michigan with RR visiting Columbus for the first time battlaing Jim Tressel. It might decide one side of the BCS Championship Game again like two years ago.