Wednesday means our weekly meeting with UW defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. Here are a few highlights:

--- Donatell said DT Craig Noble is almost certain to redshirt this season, pointing to the lateness of his arrival and the fact that so many true freshmen are already playing. "We probably wouldn't be looking to throw another guy into that this late,'' he said.

--- When asked for a young player who is raising some eyebrows, he mentioned DE Everrette Thompson, saying "his arrow is going up pretty nicely.'' Donatell said Thompson is a "pretty squared-away kid'' who has spent a lot of time in the film room and "picks things up pretty well.'' He also said he weighs 262 pounds and has the ability to hold that weight and maybe get a little bigger. "He'll be a very good defensive end here for a long time,'' he said.

--- He said the biggest challenge in facing OSU is that they've "got good speed and quickness out at the skill positions'' a "nice running game'' and a "nice a group of receivers that are probably up there with most anybody's.''

--- He said screen plays will be something the Huskies have to watch for this week and that bringing pressure can be dicey against them because "with all their weapons, you've got to make sure you've got them all taken care of.''

--- He praised the way Nate Williams has handled playing with a lot of other safeties at the other spot all season and said that all the rest of the guys remain in the mix for time based on whether they are healthy or not. Said Williams has shown a maturity that shows that "he's not a normal sophomore.''

--- Also praised the recent play of Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and said he has brought a lot of leadership to that group. "We're just not seeing the fruits of that work yet, but someday it will be there,'' he said.

--- Said of UW's struggles on third down that it's "a combination of pressure and coverage and how it works together.'' Said he thought it was better against Arizona thanks in part to some of the sacks by Te'o-Nesheim. But said that "like some other parts, that's a concern that we want to improve and fix.''

--- As for the overall defense, said "the results speak for themselves. We haven't gotten the job done. There's no other way to look at it.''