Playing early conference games is OK with Washington's Willingham

San Jose Mercury News

The last time Tyrone Willingham coached in the Pacific-10 Conference, Dennis Erickson was in his pre-49er days at Oregon State, Rick Neuheisel was skirting NCAA rules at Washington, and Tom Holmoe was floundering at Cal.

Willingham's second tour of the league began last week, when his Washington Huskies lost to Air Force in the final minute. Next up is a familiar foe, Cal, operating under different leadership. Jeff Tedford's Bears are ranked 16th entering Saturday's league opener in Seattle.  With a brutal October schedule, the Huskies cannot afford an 0-2 start if they hope to qualify for a bowl. But Willingham, who spent seven years at Stanford (1995-2001), doesn't mind playing early-season conference games. ``It gives us the opportunity to get to the top of conference and have other teams looking up at you,'' he said.