Due to basketball media day a little later, Tyrone Willingham moved up his daily Wednesday meeting with the media to just a few minutes ago.

And when he met with us, he said he had received no word yet on how Jake Locker's meeting went today with a hand specialist.

Willingham, however, said that despite whatever comes out of that exam that "the best guess'' is that Locker will be out the 6-8 weeks estimated originally. That seems to differ a little with what Tim Lappano told us Tuesday, that he doesn't expect Locker to play again this season. But it's also in keeping with Willingham's general tone on these kinds of things to keep options open. As has been noted, eight weeks does essentially take the Huskies to close to the end of the season, so there's not a real difference there one way or the other.

But Willingham said any definitive decisions won't be made until tests are in and the it's clearer how Locker's thumb is progressing. UW ends the regular season Dec. 6 at Cal, with a bye after the Apple Cup.

Willingham was a bit more definitive on guard Casey Bulyca, however, saying it "looks like his might be season-ending right now.'' Bulyca had arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday though Willingham said he didn't have the specifics of what was found.

There was better news on the Kavario Middleton front as Willingham said he sat out practice Tuesday after having a wisdom tooth pulled. He apparently will return to practice today with coaches saying his knee/leg injury is getting better.

Willingham also defended the use of Middleton lately, saying that "I think he's still doing very well'' and that he's simply lost some of the role he had the first two games after senior Michael Gottlieb returned.

In other notes:

--- Willingham said he likes having Tripper Johnson as the second up back on kickoffs because he not only has good "ball skills'' but also the ability to block, which he said is important for an up back. Some have questioned why there isn't a second returner back there who might be more of a threat to make a big return.

--- He said the defensive line has "still not played well enough'' and that it is obviously an area where experience is vital and that is something UW has not had enough of in that spot this year. Asked about the progress there, he termed it "steady but slow growth.''

--- Said that "gap integrity'' will be critical this week in defending OSU running back Jacquizz Rodgers. He said film has shown Rodgers to "bounce from one side all the way to the other side'' in eluding tacklers at the line of scrimmage. He said it will "be a test of strength and discipline'' for the entire defense to contain Rodgers, saying it falls on the linebackers and secondary as much as the defensive line.

--- Said that the Huskies are "right now, leaning more on a four-man front'' on defense after also trying out the 3-4 look earlier in the season. Said it simply seems to fit the personnel better right now.

--- Asked about the play of the cornerbacks, said he is "excited'' about the future of Quinton Richardson and thinks Mesphin Forrester has also played well at times this year. But also said "that's an area we still need a great step from.''

The team will practice this afternoon at Husky Stadium.