By Mike Kahn
CBS SportsLine Executive Editor
Sept. 27, 1998

SEATTLE -- Euphoria drowned in a sea of drenched evergreens in the Pacific Northwest by late afternoon Sunday.

Oh how the locals were busy genuflecting at each other in the wake of an 8-0 start by the Big Three football teams of the region. The Seattle Seahawks had only started 3-0 once before, in 1986. Toss in the 3-0 Washington State Cougars and 2-0 Washington Huskies, and even the Huskies and Cougars were smiling at each other with nary a growl. Never before had there been an 8-0 start from these three teams.

Too bad the rest of the season wasn't canceled on account of potential darkness.

FIRST, THE HUSKIES WERE HUMILIATED in Lincoln by second-ranked Nebraska, 55-7. Nobody expected them to lose that badly, but they were in no way suitable to be ranked eighth in the country. The blowout appeared inevitable -- it was even my college pick of the week -- a 34-6 Nebraska win was predicted. Little did anyone know that would be the difference at halftime! (Actually it was 35-7). Remember, these Huskies lost a school record 11 players to the NFL draft last year, so consider how lonesome quarterback Brock Huard found himself in a pocket full of red jerseys Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Cougars were taking it on the chin from a vastly improved team of Cal Bears. The 24-14 final score wasn't really indicative of how the Cougars spent most of the game in fear of getting stomped by the Bears. But this isn't the same explosive Cougar team of a year ago, starring Ryan Leaf, that bullied its way into the Rose Bowl and a tough loss to Michigan. Nobody really expected them to go anywhere.

The bigger concern happens to be those Seahawks. Not that a 13-10 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh is shameful. But the warning signs were there for the Hawks as they headed east over the weekend with hopes of the first 4-0 start in franchise history.

That spectacular blitzing that led to 19 sacks in three games made for big plays and a great topic of conversation. But if that was the total focus of the fans, then they were in complete denial about the vulnerability of this defense. They entered the game 12th in the conference in rushing defense and didn't help matters any by allowing Jerome Bettis to batter their bones with 138 yards Sunday. As a team, the Steelers dominated the line of scrimmage with an impressive 185 on the ground.

ON THE FLIP SIDE, THE SEAHAWKS continue to be undependable on offense. With 41-year-old Warren Moon at quarterback -- overthrowing wide open Joey Galloway twice on deep passes Sunday -- there is this lingering question of his ability to perform at a playoff-level all season. His efficiency has been good, and his career statistics are beyond reproach -- except when it comes to winning big games.

This isn't meant to just pick on the Seahawks at this point. This was going to be a tough game, and the Steelers were favored by exactly those three points anyway. A bigger test is coming next week in Kansas City against the division-rival Chiefs.

As we break down the 8-0 by these three teams coming into the weekend, everybody knew the Huskies and Cougars were about to come tumbling down. Both squads had lost the meat of their respective teams that were nationally ranked -- and deservedly so -- last season.

The Seahawks had and continue to have great expectations. With the addition of Ricky Watters and a huge offensive line, the running game figured to be more dependable. Well, it looked just fine against Philadelphia, Arizona and Washington (a combined 1-11) -- although erratic even in those games. Reality just bit the Hawks hard on the turf in Three Rivers Stadium Sunday.

When you live in a part of the country filled with rabid football fans, a large percentage of those sycophants never do gain perspective with regard to their boys. The true football fan knows better. Anyone who saw the Huskies struggle unmercifully with BYU last weekend in Husky Stadium had to figure they were in for a battering in Nebraska.

Same account for the Cougars, who have even less depth than the Huskies.

This is the season of reckoning for the Seahawks and Dennis Erickson's fourth year as head coach. They are a franchise that has failed to make the playoffs since 1988. Erickson gained recognition at the collegiate level as an exceptional offensive mind at Washington State and Miami. It's the same reason the Seahawks brought him in. And while they shored up their special teams and defense during the off-season as has been obvious so far -- the offense is lagging far behind.

Now that the three weeks of football nirvana have been punted into oblivion, nobody is particularly excited about Washington playing host to Arizona next Saturday -- although the Huskies are still 1-0 in the Pac-10. The Cougars, traveling to UCLA next week, very likely will receive the same treatment the Huskies received in Lincoln.

Only students, alumni and parents will retain a strong interest.

As for the Seahawks, now we'll find out how good they are. The schedule was kind at the start of this season, now they have to prove they've taken advantage of it. If not, as the Who made quite clear, "We won't get fooled again."