We'll start with another quick reminder of our live chat today at noon.

We'll continue with the news that one of UW's top remaining quarterback targets --- Troy Williams of Narbonne High in Harbor City, Calif. --- has been reported by several different outlets to be taking a trip to Washington next weekend (an unofficial visit, all that is allowed this time of year) and will then likely make a decision soon after. He had initially planned to visit UW in April during spring football but was unable to make it then.

The 6-2, 190-pounder is rated a four-star recruit and the No. 14 QB in the country by Scout.com and is also a four-star recruit and No. 4 at his position by Rivals.com.

Williams was quoted by Scout.com yesterday saying that his top five are UW, Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA and Florida.

UW, though, is regarded by many as the favorite, especially with Arizona recently getting a commitment from QB Anu Solomon. After that commit, Greg Biggins of Scout.com Tweeted that UW "looks good now'' to get Williams.

Williams, though, hasn't publicly tipped his hand told Scout.com of the Solomon commit that "It doesn't affect me at all. There's going to be competition everywhere."

Of UW, he said: "I'm going up there next Thursday. I'm going to go up there and see the campus, look at the academics, meet the coaches and see how it feels. I'll probably make my decision after I visit Washington."

It's pretty much a necessity to get at least one QB in every class, but the Huskies might just take one this year after getting two last year and having a roster for 2013 that would project to already have four scholarship QBs (Keith Price, who would then be a senior; Derrick Brown, who would then be a sophomore, and Cyler Miles and Jeff LIndquist).

The only other uncommitted QB known to have a UW offer is Johnny Stanton of Santa Margarita, Calif., though it's thought the Huskies are now recruiting him more as an athlete. Two other QBs UW had offered --- Max Browne of Skyline (USC) and Cooper Bateman of Salt Lake City (Alabama) --- have committed elsewhere.

Here are a couple of good features on Williams with some background --- first from the LA Times, from ESPN.com. and from The Daily Breeze.

And here's a little video:

IN OTHER NEWS. ...

--- Our own Bud Withers takes a humorous stab at other names for endowed coaching positions in the Pac-12.

--- Speaking of Arizona, the Wildcats will debut copper helmets in 2012.

--- ESPN's Pac-12 blog is asking who is the most hated coach in the conference.

--- Cal announced today it has dismissed LB Cecil Whiteside for the ever-popular unspecified violation of team rules.

--- SI.com's Andy Staples says the NCAA rulebook needs a trim.

--- Jon Wilner with some more info on the Pac-12 Networks.

--- Two Pac-12 players and another that UW will see this year are on the list of the top five potential No. 1 2013 NFL Draft Picks by The Sporting News.

--- Some thoughts from the Arizona Republic on former UW signee Chris Young.

--- Some links from Smart Football.

--- Pat Forde has some fun with realignment.

A quick note this morning that we will hold our usual weekly live chat today at noon. Morning links coming in a little while.

UW coach Steve Sarkisian was a guest on KJR-AM 950 this morning with host Dave "Softy'' Mahler.

You can listen to it here, and I also have a few transcribed highlights below:

No real news revelations, mostly bigger picture stuff about the direction of the program, the Husky Stadium renovation, etc.

As mentioned, here are some highlights. ...

--- Sarkisian said they have "kicked around'' the idea of moving some of training camp off-campus, which would make it easier for fans to attend. But that right now the plan is to do it all on-campus, which would apparently mean it would again be closed to the public. He said having lots of people there is "not safe and wouldn't give us enough room.''

--- Asked if he is satisfied where the program is right now compared to where he thought it might be when he took over, he said "I think I am pleased with our progress, the way we are building the program and the steps that we have taken, whether it's on the field, in recruiting, in the classroom and the way we represent ourselves in the community ... we've taken the proper steps to continue to build the program the right way. We want to be a program of substance and be here for a long time as we build this and not one great year and then we go back (build it) so that we are contending year-in and y ear-out.'' He said he thinks "we are right on the cusp of that, quite honestly.''

--- He said one reason he thinks they are on the cusp of it is that he thinks "we should have been and could have been a 9-4 football team'' last season. Mahler asked if he was referring to the Oregon State and Baylor games as ones that got away and he said yes that "those two jump out at you that we had opportunities to win.'' He said was disappointed that those were two of the type of close games UW had won in 2010 but couldn't finish those last year.''

--- He said one reason he thinks UW is getting closer to where it needs to be is that it now has increased depth up and down the roster. He noted the role injuries have played in contributing to some losses the last few years, specifically Hau'oli Jamora getting hurt last season and Jake Locker and Keith Price each having to miss a start in each of the last two years. He said "I think our roster now is at a point to where we have the depth in place where if one guy goes down, the next guy who does in, there isn't that disparity there'' between the two players.''

--- Mahler asked about the tough early schedule and the fact that in some ways it's kidn of just the reverse of 2011 when the better teams were on the back end of the schedule. Sarkisian said he thinks that could be an advantage since "you'd like to think you should be more healthy early in the season, you should be fresh'' and noted that some of UW's bigger wins the last few years have come earlier in the season. He also noted UW is a quarter school so it won't begin classes until the week of the Stanford game (Sept. 27) allowing the players that much more time to concentrate on football.

--- Asked about the progress of the stadium renovation and what it will mean for the Huskies, he said it will be "a huge benefit, quite honestly. The stadium is going to be spectacular ... the gameday experience for the fan will be phenomenal. ... When a recruit shows up he is going to be wowed by it, without a doubt ...''

--- Finally, he was asked his thoughts on a college football playoff. He said "I think we are headed in the right direction as far as going to a playoff.'' He said instead of just four teams "I would like to think that maybe eight would be a better number, maybe 16 for that matter. I do truly believe that playoffs are needed in college football ...''

We'll begin with another post-spring power ranking, this from the National Football Post, which has UW fourth in the Pac-12 behind the consensus top three of USC, Oregon and Stanford.

Prepare to see UW fourth or fifth in almost every such Pac-12 pre-season ranking and third in the Pac-12 North --- that seems to be the consensus for the Huskies as more and more of these are released.

While I know hope springs eternal this time of year, It's hard to argue UW should be any higher given the recent success of USC, Oregon and Stanford and what each appears to have back (the Cardinal does lose Andrew Luck and some other key pieces but has been recruiting well and could have one of its best defenses ever and enough offense if a QB emerges.)

While the National Football Post had UW ahead of Utah, there are some who will make an argument for picking the Utes ahead of UW when doing an overall Pac-12 ranking --- the Utes return 16 starters, 10 of whom are seniors, could have a stellar defensive front and should have a vastly improved passing game with Jordan Wynn back.

But otherwise, prognosticators seem to be liking more of what they see from UW than other teams that could fit there, notably Cal. Washington has beaten Cal the last three years, but otherwise the teams have fairly similar looks to them entering this year (each went 7-6 last year and has a fairly similar number of returning starters as UW has 13 and Cal 11). For a lot of people, picking UW over Cal may be as simple as looking at the QB spot.

Too high? Too low? We'll find out for sure come the fall.

IN OTHER NEWS. ...

--- Good stuff here from Giants.com on a couple of Giants, including former Husky Isaiah Stanback going back to school.

--- CoachSark's site has news of an honor for incoming OL Shane Brostek.

--- Philly.com unveils a possible Eagles depth chart, including Chris Polk.

--- ESPN.com's Ted Miller reviews some painful UW history in his story on Pac-12 teams "left in the lurch.''

--- Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott is making almost $2 million per year.

--- The Go2Guy isn't happy that Mike Leach shot a bear.

--- Oregon State cornerback Jordan Poyer is in some legal trouble.

--- MaxPreps.com has updated its list of the top 100 recruits for the Class of 2013.

--- Always good stuff in the mailbag from SI.com's Stewart Mandel.

--- SI.com also with a good story on what goes on during the summer camp circuit.

The rain making it easier to get through a few more of these today. ...

Q: The O-line is a mess, and without (Chris) Polk, will (Keith) Price be able to put up similar numbers this year?

A: Well, I wish I could see into the future better than the next guy --- my financial portfolio is proof that I can't --- and then I could give you a better answer. But there's so many variables at play here that it's impossible for anyone to do anything but just take a stab in the dark at a question like this.

For one thing, lower numbers could be a good thing --- maybe the running game becomes so good that he doesn't have to do anything but hand the ball off and throw at opportune times, etc.

But as you point out, there are some well-documented questions about the offense that could force Price to have to carry a heavier load this season --- assuming he has the skill people around him to handle it (you could also mention the loss of the top two leading WRs from last year as another potential factor).

One person who sees some potential pitfalls for Price this year is former UW QB Brock Huard, who wrote this piece in April saying to not be surprised to see Price "take a step back'' this year. I'd argue that headline is a little misleading --- it might not be Price himself taking a step back in his own play as much as the supporting cast around him not allowing his numbers to climb to the same level. If you read our live chat with Steve Sarkisian a few days later, you know what he thinks of that theory (he said they'd already taped that story up in the locker room).

If I had to guess, I'd say that given the uncertainty of the OL and some growing needed among the skill guys, it would probably be unrealistic to expect Price to better last year's numbers. The year when that might happen is 2013, when just about everyone off the offense could be back (the only seniors on what would be the likely offensive starting lineup right now are receiver James Johnson and center Drew Schaefer).

Q: What will it take for the ADs to agree to an eight-game conference schedule? Seems like the requirements to make the playoffs might eventually push them over the edge and the coaches (from what I have read) are already for it.

A: You are correct that the coaches are for it --- remember Rick Neuheisel's statement last year that the conference was "sold a bill of goods'' in keeping with a nine-game conference schedule because it thought the Big Ten was also going to stay at nine?

The reason ADs want to play nine games is, surprise, mostly financial --- it's harder than ever to schedule non-conference games and dropping a conference game and then attempting to add another non-conference game of equal or better potential revenue-generating capacity would only make things that much more challenging. For many teams, it might mean subtracting what would be a good conference game (say UCLA or something) for a not-so-attractive non-conference foe (and also would mean even more instances where a team like UW might not make a trip to a regional area it used to visit annually, such as LA or Phoenix).

What might change things is if the conference is really able to secure a yearly game with a Big Ten team (as is the tentative plan), basically adding another conference-quality game for every school each year. Certainly, it's something I think will be constantly evaluated. But for right now, the preference appears to be to stay with nine conference games.

If you are really an advocate of going to eight conference games, though, also be on board with paying conference-game-type money for a ticket to see what could easily end up being another Portland State-type opponent.

As those of you who follow me on Twitter may know, the news last night that the Seahawks had acquired Kellen Winslow in a trade had me remembering when Winslow was almost a Husky.

If you've forgotten, Winslow --- who went to high school in San Diego --- seriously considered UW and was thought by some to be leaning toward signing with the Huskies for the Class of 2001 (detailed here) before deciding instead to sign with Miami.

On Twitter last night I linked this story from 2003 in which Winslow talked about how close he came to signing with UW and why he didn't. It also leads off with a note about Aaron Rodgers and how close HE came to signing with UW, as well.

And given the success each has had since, it's a tempting, if frustrating. "what if?'' for UW fans to wonder what might have happened had UW signed each of those players.

Winslow would have been the heir apparent to Jerramy Stevens and teamed with Reggie Williams, Charles Frederick and the rest of the receivers UW had in that 2001-03 era. Rodgers would have contended (and given what we know now, certainly would have won) the battle to replace Cody Pickett following the 2002 season.

Winslow left Miami after the 2003 season, taken with the sixth pick of the 2004 NFL Draft --- five picks before Williams. Rodgers stayed at Cal through the 2004 season, a year he led the Bears to a 10-2 record while the Huskies were going 1-10. While UW had lots of issues in 2004 --- chief among them, the turmoil of the unexpected coaching change from Rick Neuheisel to Keith Gilbertson --- uneven (at best) quarterback play was maybe the biggest on-field issue. Rodgers alone wouldn't have solved everything, but he certainly would have made a difference. That UW came close to getting each but didn't, however, kind of symbolizes Washington's plight in that era.

IN OTHER NEWS. ...

--- ESPN.com's Ted Miller has Keith Price No. 6 on his list of the top 10 players in the Pac-12.

--- Miller also gives a reason to hate every coach in the Pac-12 part of their "coaches we love to hate'' series.

--- Will Jake Locker break out this year in Tennessee?

--- No joke --- Stanford's offensive coordinator position will now be known as the Andrew Luck Directorship of Offense.

--- ESPN.com details how Lane Kiffin has changed at USC.

--- SI.com's Andy Staples with more on realignment.

--- What does the NFL Draft say about college football?

Time for some more. Or maybe I should say, I'll Have Another. ...

Q: Sorry if you have mentioned this before but when does the PAC 12 Network launch again? I'm really looking forward to it. Is everything still on schedule for its launch?

A: I know this question came a while ago and maybe you have gotten your answers since in some of the news that has broken in recent days. But I'll pass along again Bud Withers' column from today which includes what is the most up-to-date info on the Networks. Hopefully if you still have questions that answers them.

Q: As the players in their off-season work out in small groups, ie 7 on 7 etc, are the players allowed to communicate with any coaches for any suggestions or critiquing that might help them all with their workouts?

A: Players are always allowed to talk to their coaches. But coaches can't watch those sessions or film them or anything like that. But there's never a time of year when players can't talk to the coaches, and I think it's a given that the players know what the coaches want them to work on in those sessions.

For more specifics on what is allowed when, here's a link to the NCAA Manual. The rules regarding football's season are in section 17.9 (or beginning with page 260).

Q: Is Don James involved at all in coaching/mentoring process? (Versus ceremonial appearances.)

A: No. He has not been since retiring prior to the 1993 season in protest of the penalties handed to the school. As a lot of people have commented, few people have seemed as content in their retirement as James, who seemed to pretty easily step away from the game to spend time with family and do a lot of traveling. It's also worth noting now that James will turn 80 later this year. So while he's in overall good health, I think he's pretty happy to not do much more than what he has been since retiring. Since I've been covering the team regularly since 1997 James usually makes one appearance every August to watch the team during a training camp practice. Usually he speaks to the team briefly and maybe has lunch with the coaches or something. Otherwise, he pretty much keeps his distance.

Q: When Steve Sarkisian first took over the program he said he had one of the best staffs in the country. In light of his new coaches and when he sees now what do you think is opinion would be now?

A: I think his opinion of what he has now would be the same --- that he has one of the best coaching staffs in the country. That's kind of how he is, to be pretty confident in what he's doing and who he has working for him, etc. I take it you are asking more if he regrets what he said then, or would have second thoughts about the hires he made then. I haven't asked him that in quite those terms, but having been around him a while now, I can say that he's not one to sit around and publicly express a lot of regrets about the past. I think he'd say that he put together what he thought was the best staff he could for UW at that time, but that things changed and he needed to go in a different direction.

Obviously, it hardly needs to be stated anymore that the defense needed improving. Just as obviously, changing coaches is usually the easiest way to make a new start, so Sarkisian did that. As the comments he's made since then have made clear, he's pretty much willing to let the action of firing three coaches do the talking. It's not really what coaches do to then pile on with lengthy explanations of the failings of said coaches, so I wouldn't expect Sarkisian to start doing that now.

Q: The 2011 version of the Husky defense was bad. However, I consider several factors to how the stats looked at the end of the season: Powerful offenses; young defense; the offense taking extended periods of time off then having a three-play drive; lack of depth. I see this year as a new stone being turned over. They're still going to be facing some powerful offenses i.e. Oregon, USC, LSU, but they're no longer a young defense; the Husky offense may grind things out a bit more; depth has been created by experience and shuffling players around i.e. (Josh) Shirley and (Nate) Fellner. That said, how much actual impact will switching over to a 3-4 base actually have on the final numbers?

A: I'd agree with most of that --- I'm not sure how quickly the offense scored is a huge factor in things --- Oregon scores pretty quickly and its defense seemed to manage just fine last year (unless you simply mean the offense not scoring at all, then yes, that's a factor in just how the overall game is going that doesn't help anything).

No doubt, the defense as a whole will be more experienced this year, despite losing some key pieces, and that should help. And that experience is helping to create more depth which should allow it to better handle injuries and things like that (though especially at linebacker, I think depth --- or maybe more accurately, proven depth, since there are obviously decent numbers there --- remains an issue).

I think much of what you have touched on will be as much of a factor in the defense improving than the switch to more of a 3-4. As has been noted here and elsewhere, UW has done lots of 3-4 in the past --- here's a YouTube video I recently ran across of every UW defensive play from the 2010 Holiday Bowl and I counted 29 times the Huskies were in what I think would generally be considered as a three-man line. That said, the Huskies will likely do more of it now. But I think it'll be more about when and how the 3-4 is used, the players who are involved, and the teaching and then ultimately the execution of it, that will be a bigger deal than simply doing it more.

Q: What's your hometown? You mentioned working in LA for a while.

A: I grew up in Richland but went to high school in Issaquah. I worked for three different newspapers in the southern California area from 1987-93, so I got pretty familiar with LA (especially the San Fernando Valley area and into Santa Clarita and the Antelope Valley) during that time.

Not a real busy time in college football, but time to catch up on what is out there. ...

--- Bud Withers updates what's going on with the Pac-12 Networks. Among the items he covers is when to expect TV designations for Pac-12 games (basically, sometime next month).

--- The National Football Post looks at Keith Price's NFL future.

--- Arizona got a commitment from a quarterback over the weekend, which could be significant since the Wildcats are also thought among those interested in Troy Williams, considered maybe UW's top QB target now.

--- USA Today examines how much the Pac-12 might make from its new TV deal.

--- Jon Wilner has his own thoughts on that story.

--- Here's another look at TV money.

--- We can all agree, I think, that if assuming recruiting rankings ever mean much, they mean that much less this time of year. That said, here's the latest from 247Sports.com showing UW at No. 35 nationally.

--- A few days old, but ESPN.com's Ted Miller gave what he felt was UW's best Big Ten matchup in his mailbag on Friday.

--- The Orlando Sentinel has Washington State No. 84 in its ongoing countdown of every team in the nation.

--- The Sentinel also looks at what some of the latest conference realignment/alliance stuff means.

--- Doug Haller says that based on history, Arizona and Arizona State fans shouldn't expect much this season.