---- Week 3 is upon us. Time once again to visit the shrine known as Husky Stadium. I like the late afternoon starts too, you get more out of the day. Here's my picks and predictions.

Huskies vs. Air Force. Alright, I guess need to revisit last year's debacle. This was the straw that broke Lambright's back. Scraping into a minor bowl game and losing to a service academy is about as bad as not going to a bowl at all.

Air Force, for a service academy or not, had a really good team last year. The triple-option is very effective if played correctly, especially against the Huskies. Let's face it, the Dawgs have always been confused by the option. Not only did Washington get suckered into giving up 300 yards on the ground, it totally opened up the A.F. passing game, once for an 80 yard T.D. Ouch.

The good news is, there's a new QB at Air Force, and Neuheisel knows a thing or two about the option. Actually not a whole lot about BEATING the option, since Neu's never beaten Nebraska. However, there's a big difference in the athletes at Nebraska and at A.F. And fundamentally, beating the option is not that tough once you figure it out. Will the Dawgs figure it out?

I think probably not. Several factors... only a week to prepare against the option. Some hurting LB's at Washington. Linemen are not that fast. Poor tackling persists. On the "plus" side, I feel comfortable with the new 3-4 defensive scheme against the option. I think it's better suited. If the younger, quicker safeties play up on the line, and the CB's can be ready for the passes, the Dawgs should be able to stop the A.F. running game. If/when that happens, the game's over. To Merry's credit, Air Force showed more throwing last week, although it was against a I-AA team. My guess is they'll stick to their guns and run the option.

Other factors - this will be a LOUD game. The crowd will give the Dawgs the extra push if they earn it. Revenge, and this being Neu's first home game, will both be factors.

If the special teams play well and make A.F. start in their own territory then it'll help a lot. Ryan Fleming is the best punter in the Pac-10, that helps a lot.

On offense, I think Marques has his wits about him now. He showed some touch last week throwing, and that could open up the running game. I expect we'll see our freshman RB in the game for a few series this time. He looks like a puny guy out there, but he's quick.

I predict A.F. will gain around 250 yards on offense and 24 points. The Husky defense will give at first but will catch on. The secondary will be ready this week. The key will be tackling on the line. If the Huskies proceed to miss tackles, then A.F. will have no problem marching down the field. Marques will have firm command and lead the Dawgs to 35 points. Huskies, 35-24.

- COMMENTS -

Although I got these scores almost exactly opposite, I think I have a leg to stand on. I predicted AF would gain about 250 yards, they got around 270 total. The Huskies did stop the passing game, and surprising adjusted pretty well to the option attack.

If not for the turnovers I probably would have been exactly right on my prediction. With 5 turnovers, most of them Tui's own mistakes, the Huskies had no way to get back into the game.

My big observations are:

1. We forced a passing game even when the run was working. In the 2nd quarter Braxton and Marques combined for almost 100 yards in one drive. Afterwords, we went to quick-outs.

2. We went to quick-outs too often. By the end of the game it was very predictable, which aided in the interceptions

3. It's obvious we're working on a passing game. My problem is the coaching staff worked on the passing game at the expense of using what works at the time. Very silly, cost us the game. Also Tuiososopo was forcing passes and making bad decisions. I guess he just had a bad day - it can happen.