"Willingham at Husky Photo Day" by C Syverson

In the 11th grade, we busted our Mom's lava lamp playing soccer in the house. (Yeah, she had a lava lamp. Whatever.) Our seemed-like-a-good-idea solution was to vacuum the two quarts of red oily goo with the family's shiny new Electrolux. About a week later, an odd smell started emanating from the storage closet where the vacuum was kept and we were grounded for two weeks. On Day 9 of the Great Grounding, we had a chance to see Lollapalooza. We begged to get a reprieve. We pleaded. We begged some more. We succeeded. That night we rocked out with Les Claypool and then didn't bother coming home until noon the next day, when there were more groundings.

And this is exactly why Tyrone Willingham cannot be fired this year.

Seattlest doesn't think the Huskies have learned their lesson yet. The school just emerged from probation in early 2007. Can the Huskies just run a clean program for a few years before expecting national championships? Firing Willingham in the middle of his contract, which was signed at a time when phrases like "death penalty" and "major sanctions" were a possibility sends the wrong message to the university and the NCAA. In fact, the only reason the NCAA or the Pac-10 didn't drop the hammer on the Dawgs last time was because the school took steps to cleanse itself up, a large component of which was to hire Willingham, who has a sparkling reputation. (Don't make us bring up the compliance director who gave everyone the green light to gamble.)

Sure, losing sucks. We don't like it anymore than anyone else. But prove to us you can handle your probation-free status for a few years first. Now, don't you have homework to do?

(Picks after the jump!)

Saturday:
Oregon at WSU (3:15 p.m., FSN, 1090)
The Ducks (3-1) lost last week. To Boise State. At Autzen Stadium. They won't be happy. The Cougs (1-3) lost their top two QBs to serious injury last week. This one won't be pretty.
Prediction: Ducks 64, Cougs 7

Stanford at UW Huskies (7 p.m. FSN, 950)
The Huskies (0-3) have had two weeks to get their young squad ready for Stanford (2-2). The Huskies need a win like Amy Winehouse needs a fix. Seriously jonesin'. Plus, with ex-Wolverine Jim Harbaugh patrolling the sidelines for the Cardinal, there's a simmering rivalry between the two staffs.
Prediction: The Dawgs 28, The Tree 10

Sunday:
The Seahawks are idle, and the remaining receivers are wearing protective suits until next week.

Don't like football? The USL Sounders start a home-and-home playoff series with the Montreal Impact Friday night at Starfire Sports Complex, in what could be the final home game of the franchise, which begins play in the MLS next year.