Six Pacific-10 Conference teams finally embark on their Pac-10 schedule this weekend.
After this week, only California and Oregon will have yet to begin their Pac-10 schedule.
In non-conference action, Washington travels east to South Bend, Ind. to play Notre Dame.
UCLA and California are both on a bye week.
Washington (0-2 overall, 0-1 Pac-10)
at Notre Dame (2-1)
The Huskies take to the road for the first time this season and make its third-ever trip to South Bend, Ind., this Saturday.
In the teams’ series history, the Fighting Irish have won all four contests by an average score of 39-12. Their last meeting was in 1996, when Notre Dame won convincingly 54-20.
“It has been awhile since we have had a big road win,” Washington head coach Keith Gilbertson said. “We have had some tough
road trips and been to some landmark places like Miami and Notre Dame. It would be nice to win one of those games.”
Washington is coming off two consecutive home losses to Fresno State and UCLA, while Notre Dame has won two in a row over Michigan and Michigan State.
Even though the Huskies have started the season 0-2, things still look bright based on history. The last three times Washington began 0-2, they have gone on to a winning season and the last two times, made a bowl game.
In Notre Dame’s 31-24 win over Michigan State last weekend, the Fighting Irish forced a total of six turnovers. The defense was led by sophomore defensive back Tom Zbikowski, who had a team-high nine tackles, along with two forced fumbles and one interception. For his efforts, Zbikowski was named the Division 1-A National Defensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
“What concerns me (about Washington) most is first of all, their record because it is deceiving,” Notre Dame head coach Tyrone Willingham said. “They have played some very good football, and that record could very easily be 2-0 as opposed to 0-2. It can often create a mindset that this team is not as skilled as it is.”
Oregon State (1-2)
at Arizona State (3-0)
After losing their first two games of the season, the Beavers now look to even their record at 2-2 when they travel to Tempe to play the Sun Devils.
The Beavers are coming off a 17-7 victory over New Mexico in their home opener last weekend. Quarterback Derek Anderson leads an offense that outgained New Mexico’s offense by 284 yards (398-114).
“He’s had kind of a streaky career,” Arizona State head coach Dirk Koetter said. “When he’s on, I think he’s as good as anybody. I know he’s very talented and I know he’s capable of beating anybody.”
Oregon State kicker Alexis Serna, infamous for missing three extra points in their season opening loss to Louisiana State, replaced John Dailey as the No. 1 kicker last week after Dailey missed two field goal attempts.
Arizona State is coming off a stunning 44-7 victory over No. 16 Iowa. Linebacker Jamar Williams and kicker Jesse Ainsworth earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors for their play. Williams had nine tackles, one sack and one interception in the game. Ainsworth was three-for-three on field goal attempts, along with five PAT’s.
Washington State (2-1)
at Arizona (1-2)
Washington State quarterback Josh Swogger recovered from a horrible game two weeks ago where he passed for only 77 yards. Swogger led the Cougars to a 49-8 home victory over Idaho at home last week and threw for 196 yards along with four touchdown passes.
Arizona has lost its past two games to top 25-ranked teams. The Wildcats barely lost to No. 20 Wisconsin 9-7 last week. Arizona had a chance to win the game at the end, but kicker Nick Folk’s 47-yard field goal attempt sailed left with 43 seconds in the game.

Alex Tam is a Freelance Reporter for the Oregon Daily Emerald