Huskies host lowly Cardinal

SEATTLE – So just how bad is this Stanford football team? Well, Washington has lost five games in a row and is still a 19-point favorite over the Cardinal.

Whether the Huskies are that much better than Stanford we’ll find out today when Washington (2-5 Pacific-10, 4-6 overall) plays host to the Cardinal (0-6, 0-9) at 12:30 p.m. at Husky Stadium.

Washington comes into the game needing to win its final two contests – this week, and next week’s Apple Cup in Pullman – to reach the coveted six wins and have a shot at a bowl game. Stanford simply would like to get a win and try to salvage this season. Despite the large point spread, the Huskies know this isn’t a game they can take lightly.

“You should never take anyone lightly under any circumstances,” UW coach Tyrone Willingham said. “Because Stanford hasn’t won doesn’t mean they’re not capable of winning.”

Looking at the statistics, though, and it’s clear to see why there would be a danger of Washington overlooking Stanford and ahead to Washington State. The Cardinal are the lowest-scoring team in the nation and is losing games by an average score of 35-9. Stanford has scored more than 10 points just once, and held teams to less than 31 only once. The Cardinal are also without its starting quarterback and one of its top receivers, both out with injuries.

But the Huskies said they aren’t thinking about those facts. In fact, they really can’t afford to. Washington is coming off of one of its worst performances of the season in a loss at Oregon, and the Huskies have played worse at home than on the road this season.

“We have to approach this like we have to get a win, like we’re hungry,” senior linebacker Scott White said. “If we start slow and give these guys confidence, they’re capable of beating us.”

“The main thing is not focusing on them and focusing on ourselves,” quarterback Carl Bonnell said.