This week had the potential to be even better. The Cubs had a 3-1 game lead over Florida, the Sox forced a game seven – The Rocket versus Pedro round two, Steven Jackson would get to make his case for the Heisman on national television, and a Beaver win would set up a HUGE game at WSU next week. Washington State did their part by beating Stanford. That was it; the only thing that went right in my sports week. But, it could have been worse.

The Cubs blew a three game lead. But it could have been worse, I could have been that poor son of a gun who tried to catch the foul ball and had to enter the Federal Government’s Witness protection program.

Graddy Little added his own chapter to "The Curse of the Bambino" in game 7 of the ALCS.

The Red Sox blew a three run lead in the eighth inning as Grady Little made (in everyone but his and The Toe’s opinion) what may have been the most boneheaded managerial decision I have ever had the displeasure to behold. And, as a lifelong Red Sox fan, I have seen my share. But, it could have been worse. No, the Red Sox game could not have been worse.

Steven Jackson’s Heisman hopes took a severe beating. But it could have been worse, it is just one game, and a good showing in the USC game would mean a lot.

Much of the excitement that was building for the Cougar game is gone. But it could have been worse. The Cougs could have lost and then there wouldn’t even be the chance to beat the PAC-10’s front-runner next weekend.

Charles Frederick, he of the three touchdowns, was often covered by a linebacker. But it could have been worse; he could have had a twin brother.

The offensive line was totally dominated by the Husky defensive line. But, it could have been worse if they hadn’t had the tight-ends helping them. The tight-ends must have been held in to block because they sure weren’t catching any passes.

Beaver fans were left scratching their heads wondering what the heck was going on with penalties. But, it could have been worse, at least we got some comic relief, “We will now talk to the Washington captain about the other penalty.”

Overall, the Beaver game sucked. But it could have been worse, at least the Ducks didn’t win.

Miscellaneous notes:

• There are surely some of them out there, but I have yet to meet a rude Husky fan. I’ll never forget the way they acted two years ago when the Beavers put a hurtin’ on them. They were as gracious in defeat as they are in victory; class acts all of the way.
  
• Bye weeks are for the birds, especially when your team is on a roll.
  
• I thought that this sort of thing wasn’t supposed to happen unless your team appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
  
• Is it me, or are PAC-10 officials just a tad overzealous in the flag throwing department this year? I have noticed a profusion of flags at Beaver games and any PAC-10 games that I have watched on television.
  NOTE: The above paragraph does not imply that I think the officials cost the Beavers the game. The Beavers have got to get a handle on this penalty thing.
  
• Cody Pickett did a good job of getting rid of the ball quickly.
  
• You know things are going badly when you block a punt and the other team gets a first down.
  
• It seems like the entire Beaver team experiences a significant let-down whenever the special teams give up a touchdown. A touchdown is a touchdown is a touchdown. It has been scored, get over it and get going.

Big Daddy Orange can be read every Monday. The views expressed in his column do not necessarily represent those of BeaverFootball.com. He can be reached at bigdaddyorange@beaverfootball.com.