In person: Washington vs. Boise State

I know it's trite to say something was in the air. Of course there was smoke (from barbecues...yeah, just barbecues), cheers (from fans) and beer (beer bongs gone all wrong). But there wasn't a metaphorical "something" in the air. That's just crap.

But there was a feeling. Before the game. During it. After... This was not Husky football circa 2002-2006. The feeling of Rose Bowls, National Championships and All-Americans was back again Saturday.

Thing is, most people -- about 60,000 happy UW fans -- walked out of Husky Stadium Saturday after the Huskies' 24-10 win over Boise State with the kind of pompous stride that you don't see after an upset, but rather after an expected win on what was a surprisingly sunny, warm day in the Emerald City.

Obviously the win is big for the Washington football program. The Dawgs haven't started 2-0 since 2001, and with the Ohio State coming to Seattle next weekend, any kind of win, let alone a big one like this, gives a team the confidence that only winning can give. You know Ohio State is expecting a tough game next weekend.

On Saturday, the fans were loud, the echoes of Husky Stadium were booming and there was a sense of pride and arrogance among Husky fans. The cheers carried on for hours after the games. The hi-fives were non-stop: student to student, alum to student, old person to young, man to woman, frat guy to RA.

And with the Jake Locker Era just beginning, there's a sense of excitement and passion that had died on Montlake the last five years. I don't want to jump the gun and say the Huskies are back. Two wins can't bring a storied college football program back. But that feeling...that feeling is coming back.