Wow, the crowds are large. What was I expecting? Not sure. But a trio of News Tribune reporters - myself, Don Ruiz (men's basketball writer and Doug Pacey – went down to the east-side practice field where food and beer booths, suites and a whole lot of goodness was set up for Husky (and LSU fans, for that matter) to enjoy as a pre-function event.

Former players were parading around as if this was the norm – and it should be. Excitement brimmed over. And UW and LSU fans, alike, behaved.

At 5:45 p.m., another tradition unfolded – the UW team arrived on buses on a side street just east of the Dempsey Center. And as players waited to get off the bus, the began to rock the buses. And when I mean, rock them, I mean swaying you'd see in a Kansas twister.

Coach Steve Sarkisian got off in a three-piece grey-colored suit, bombarded by television cameras (and he wore a tie). Rows outlined the path the players came through on, maybe 5- or 6-deep. And they appreciated the energy. In fact, when quarterback Jake Locker made his way through, he raised his arms and encouraged the volume to be louder.

And in a few minutes, they made their way through a private entrance onto the field at Husky Stadium, where they are now. It's getting closer. …