A must win for the Huskies

Washington’s game against Stanford tonight is a must win. A have-to win. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that a loss to Stanford would essentially end the Huskies’ season.

The Huskies are 0-3, but have lost to three very talented teams. Oregon’s spread offense and ability to reload every year, I hate to say, are the envy of most programs. BYU’s talented quarterback Max Hall gives opponents fits with a steady, consistent and mature passing attack. And I’m pretty sure the Oklahoma team that steamrolled through Seattle a couple weeks ago could beat the St. Louis Rams.

A loss would shatter the psyche of a group young Husky players who may be wondering if they can compete at the D-I level. A loss could crush the spirits of upperclassmen who have been losing for years – ultimately giving them a reason (however bad) to throw up their hands and say “forget it.” A loss would strip away any remaining confidence the team had in its coaching staff. Coach Tyrone Willingham would lose his players and quite possibly his job.

A loss would give newly hired athletic director Scott Woodward one final item on a list of reasons why Willingham should go. It may already be a forgone conclusion – Woodward most certainly will want to bring in his own guy.

A loss to Stanford at home would congeal a Husky fan base pushing for Willingham’s ouster. It would be proof positive that the team has not improved and is heading in the wrong direction.

Is it fair? Nope – this program has been suffering from neglect since Barbara Hedges was athletic director. Former coach Rick Neuheisel simply provided a lit match to throw on a gasoline soaked pile of a program.

Unfortunately for Husky fans, a loss to Stanford would signal the beginning of another multi-year climb out of football purgatory.