Battle Royale: UW vs. LSU Game Daily edition

Sep 4, 2009, 12:00 AM

1. What player do you think will make the biggest impact who didn't do much last season? Christian: This might be cheating a little bit, but I'm going to say E.J. Savannah. He seems to really be relishing the second chance he's been given, and his addition to this defense might be as important as any to this team. Though really, for the Huskies to have any kind of success this year, they're going to need bigger contributions from a whole lot of guys. Nobody did much last season. Maks: Not that I'm going out on a limb with this pick, but Chris Polk. Here's a guy that was highly recruited out of high school, played in just two games last season before undergoing surgery on his shoulder and even considered leaving the game altogether. Now he's back as the starting tailback and has been called the team's most complete player by coach Sarkisian. After Polk, I'd go with Kavario Middleton and Johri Fogerson. 2. How much influence can defensive coordinator Nick Holt have on the defense with Willingham's players? Christian: Hopefully enough to at least make them competitive. Just watching practices, though, you can tell that they're having a lot more fun than last season, and they have at least a little attitude-a requirement to play tough defense, really. Holt isn't going to turn them into the Steel Curtain overnight, but I don't know who else they could have possibly hired who would do a better job. Maks: He's hinted on a number of occasions that he may not be all the comfortable with the hand he's been dealt at this point. But just watching the guy interact with the players during fall camp makes me think he'll be able to get more out of this group than anyone. But actually, you should ask me again at about 10:45 tonight. 3. Do you see the Huskies competing in this game? What scares you the most about LSU? Christian: Emotion can only carry you so far. LSU is simply more talented and athletic, and that's going to be obvious from kickoff. I'm mostly scared of all the banjo music that's likely to be played at all the LSU fans' tailgate parties. Maks: Maybe for a quarter. Two quarters tops. But I'd love to be wrong. What scares me most about LSU? That Les Miles probably still thinks Arkansas is pronounced AR-Kansas. 4. How happy are you that you don't go to WSU? Christian: I'm more happy that I don't go to Central Washington, so Andy Roof can't threaten to fight me at parties. But even the D-II Wildcats have to be better than the Cougars this season. Maks: Embarrassingly enough, during my senior year of high school, I had envisioned myself going to WSU. But then I reconsidered when I received a letter of acceptance no more than 36 hours after I had submitted my application. So to answer your question, real happy.

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