Today is more important than any other day for Washington head football coach Tyrone Willingham. Not that he’d admit it.

Today, the Huskies kick off the 2008 season in Eugene against the Oregon Ducks, the start of a 12-game journey that will decide the future for the coach with perhaps the hottest of the hot seats.

Win this season and Willingham keeps his job.

Lose, and someone else coaches the Huskies next season.

It’s really that simple; it’s been made public by the powers-that-be in the UW administration that .500 isn’t acceptable for the Washington Huskies football team. Simply getting to a bowl game, which looks to be an uphill battle, thanks to the UW schedule, may not be enough to save Willingham. It’s win or bust.

Some in the Seattle media lament Ty’s conduct towards reporters; the notoriously tight-lipped coach can be flippant at times. But every time I’ve spoken with Willingham, he’s been more than polite (if not forthcoming) and helpful. He’s just trying to protect his team, and in a secondary aspect, his job.

Ty plays his cards close to the vest – as do many college football coaches – and yes, it can be perceived as unhelpful, even rude.

But how many of you have 12 days to keep your job, when it depends solely on the performances of someone else?

That’s the nature of being a coach. You never fire the players; it’s the coach who takes the fall.

Willingham knows that.

And it all starts with the Ducks, who scored 55 points on the UW defense last season in Seattle. Willingham must march his men into Autzen Stadium, perhaps the most hostile environment in all of college football. If UW comes out with a win, it will be a solid start to the season.

A loss, and Willingham has only 11 days left to prove himself.

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Prediction: The Huskies will be stronger this year, but are inexperienced at key positions (wide receiver, defensive line). Jake Locker will show improved accuracy passing the football, but the Ducks will simply be too strong for UW. Ducks win 24-17.