The Husky Haul
Fansided

Ten Takeaways from Washington Football victory over California

By Bret Stuter

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on prior to the game against the California Golden Bears at Husky Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Chris Petersen of the Washington Huskies looks on prior to the game against the California Golden Bears at Husky Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 28: Tiramisu cupcakes with coffee liqueur shots are displayed at the Rao’s booth the 11th annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit Grand Tasting event presented by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Chase Sapphire and Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Nevada at Caesars Palace on April 28, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit)
LAS VEGAS, NV – APRIL 28: Tiramisu cupcakes with coffee liqueur shots are displayed at the Rao’s booth the 11th annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit Grand Tasting event presented by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Chase Sapphire and Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Nevada at Caesars Palace on April 28, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit) /

ESPN’s cupcake commentary will only add fuel to this team

Not many undefeated teams find their schedule, their head coach, and their “toughness” ridiculed during a nationally televised game as they are stomping a mudhole in their opposition. But that is the price of servitude to the folks at ESPN if you dare to question their scheduling decisions.

The Pac-12, due to the contract with broadcasting rights, understands that may games will likely slot at the 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. time slot. After all, the west coast is three hours behind the east. East games at 1:00 p.m start at 10:00 a.m. on the west coast. and end 3 hours later. Then the next round of games (usually Central time zone) begin. Then the first wave of west coast games.

But the Washington Huskies have found their games slotted after 5:00 p.m. to make room for other Pac-12 teams.  By week six, Coach Petersen had had enough and apologized to the fans for the repeated scheduling at the last possible televised programming slot.

ESPN P stands for petty

And so, it seems that ESPN took offense to the comments of the head coach, and made it very clear that they were not happy with the coach during the telecast. On the other hand, the broadcast booth used cupcake props to send the message nationally that the Washington non-conference schedule, and the team itself, were soft.

Even so, I don’t see that type of broadcast being taken lightly by this team.  In retrospect, this feud, real or perceived, had numerous avenues of resolution. But ESPN chose the national stage to air their pettiness. And that was during a game where the Huskies trounced the same California team which played USC to a dead heat through three quarters.

Next: A dangerous ASU visit lay ahead for Washington

Washington has already been playing very well. Now, this team has even more incentive. And with another ESPN televised game, this could be one helluva send off to the sports network before the bye week.

Right now, Washington looks every bit the defending Pac-12 champion.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to fit the network narrative.

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