Washington's offensive line took a big blow this week with the forced injury retirement of offensive guard Colin Porter, a two-year starter. Here's the Seattle Times report, which notes "Porter is suffering from 'degenerative arthritis' in each of his shoulders.
Keith Price got hit, hammered, drilled, dumped and decked. And in the long run, it might have been the best thing to ever happen to the Washington quarterback. With every sack Price took -- 26 of them for those keeping track at home -- a knee would strain a little more and an ankle would twist a little further.
It has been a busy offseason of comings and goings at Washington, the latest being backup quarterback Nick Montana being granted his release to transfer on the day the Huskies hired super-recruiter Tosh Lupoi away from California.
Washington's defense is bad. No question. Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times took a measure so he could quantify what Huskies fans have been feeling: This defense is historically bad. Writes Condotta: Washington is allowing 34.
A month ago, Washington was 5-1, ranked and appeared poised for a banner season under third-year coach Steve Sarkisian. No longer. After getting rolled 38-21 at Oregon State, which entered the game at 2-8, things have come apart for the Huskies, who are losers of four of five and three in a row.
Nick Montana has thrown two touchdown passes to Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but it's clear that Washington is going to lean on running back Chris Polk at Oregon State. And Polk has come through with 17 carries for 70 yards against the Beavers.
It might be a good thing that Washington quarterback Keith Price is going to miss Saturday's game at Oregon State. While that supposition hangs on the Huskies managing to beat the 2-8 Beavers with backup Nick Montana, Price has looked like he could use a break the past few weeks.
Nick Montana, son of Joe, will make his first career start at Oregon State on Saturday, coach Steve Sarkisian Tweeted on Thursday. Starter Keith Price suffered a knee injury against USC last weekend. While there is no structural damage, according to Sarkisian, Price was unable to practice this week.
Issues to consider heading into the 12th week of games. Barkley's big moment? While much was made of USC quarterback Matt Barkley saying that Oregon didn't seem to be as good this season as the previous two years, a minor tweak won't decide this game.
In 2008, USC and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian were wrapping up a 12-1 season and another -- yawn -- Rose Bowl victory while Washington was swirling down the toilet bowl of an 0-12 season. Sarkisian and head coach Pete Carroll were in the midst of signing another top-rated recruiting class, and they cherry-picked everybody's top-rated quarterback [cue angelic chorus] Matt Barkley.
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