The Night Before Game Day: UH at Washington

The AP's Tim Booth has a game preview.

Ultimately, having played Eastern's wide open pass system could have been the perfect preparation for playing Hawaii, but only if the Huskies learn from the tentative approach that hampered them defensively in the opener.

Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times previews the game.

"This is definitely a big game for our program, and it would do a lot of great things if we could win it," Moniz said. "Everybody knows who the Huskies are, and we are trying to let everyone know who the Warriors are."

Condotta also has some notes from Steve Sarkisian's radio show.

--- He said the strength of Hawaii's defense is its line and that "the key for us is how we are going to handle them, scheme or protection, different things we are going to do to combat that.''

--- He said a key for the offense is to "find a way to get the ball into the secondary, throwing it or running it, and then we can have some success with some explosive plays.''

Scott M Johnson of the Kitsap Sun highlights the Huskies' pass defense.

To say that the UW defense has been working on pass coverage this week would be like saying Joan Rivers has had some work done on her face. The Huskies put an all-out attack on their leaky pass defense and are hoping that six days is enough time to plug the gaps.

UDubNation.com has a scouting report on both teams.

GoHuskies.com has a game preview.

Look for Richardson to start as Washington goes to five and even six defensive backs against Hawaii.

Sarkisian described a three-cornerback scheme with Desmond Trufant, the hero of last week by intercepted Eastern's last pass in the end zone in the final minute, and Greg Ducre outside and Richardson often inside against Hawaii's slot receivers.

Condotta has some pre-game analysis.

Hawaii figures to be much better than Eastern on defense, especially up front. The good news for UW is that Chris Polk should be back to top form after finally having a full week of practice, and that QB Keith Price and receiver Jermaine Kearse also again appear healthy.

Sarkisian has also promised to open up the playbook some more (so don't be surprised to see some surprises) and maybe that will help the Huskies get some of the "explosive plays'' that were so missing last week.

John Berkowitz of UWDogPound.com has some predictions.

Moniz isn't going to be able to run on Washington. I would be very surprised if Hawaii as a team picks up more than 75 yards against the Washington defense. As bad as the Huskies were against the pass last week they still have the ability up front to shut down the running games of most of the teams they will play this season.

Kevin Riley writes about UH running the ball more and more.

That something is the run in the run-and-shoot offense that Hawaii employs and since their 41-10 loss in the Sugar Bowl it has increased steadily in each of McMackin's three years as head coach; from 683 yards in 2007, to just over 1,300 yards in 2008 and 2009, to nearly 1,500 yards in 2010.

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Dave Reardon writes that Washington is a lot better than Colorado.

Moniz had difficulties passing against Colorado. The risky but brilliant coaching move of letting him loose as a runner negated that, but you know Washington will be ready for it.

The UH quarterback was like a pitcher without his good stuff finding a way to win. He'll need more than that to have a chance against Washington.

Stephen Tsai writes about UH safety Leroy Lutu Jr. and his father, Leroy Lutu Sr.

And Tsai has some news and notes.