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It's been a bit of a slog, and that's been a big problem for Michael Switzer. Washington's OL Coach isn't as concerned with the play of his offensive line, but rather how the slog has affected their ability to find moments to celebrate and build off those moments to create more energy and momentum moving forward.  According to Switzer, when Washington was able to score 31 first half points against Eastern Washington, that allowed the offensive line to not just push that collective 800-pound gorilla of expectations off their backs, but it gave them the confidence to know they can get the job done, no matter how it looks. Switzer met with the UW media Tuesday to not just talk about the challenges posed by the Huskies' next opponent, Minnesota, but also about what the offense is doing to bring the joy and energy back to that side of the ball - starting with the offensive line. Will Landen Hatchett make his much-anticipated season debut this weekend? Will we see Geirean Hatchett and Champ Taulealea switching series as they did two out of the first three games of the season? Will we see John Mills step back out to left tackle and give first-year tackle Kodi Greene a bit of a breather? Full quotes from Switzer's media session are below. Do you think you'll continue the Geirean Hatchett-Champ Taulealea kind of rotation for next week? "I do. I think it's beneficial and something we've done in the past in terms of last year with guys like (John) Mills and who was then Paki (Finau). But to get some guys some breathers on the sideline in terms of let them take a drive off. I think it's beneficial in terms of how you have a moment to process throughout the game. After you come off through a drive, you go through it, you're on the field. Okay, next guy up mentality, you need to go watch it. But I think that's a tool that we'll continue to use throughout the season." You mentioned using it as a tool. What kind of benefit is that to a guy like Champ and also someone like Kodi (Greene) who might be splitting those left tackle spots with John (Mills) just to get that in-game coaching of having a rep going on the sideline and kind of seeing it done a different way... "Yeah, it plays the same way. So whether it's the guard position, whether it's the tackle position, especially for a young guy, I think it's hugely beneficial as you set that up and set up the rotation. We had success with that with John Mills last year. And I think it's something at that position we'll see, but how do you help out your guys throughout a given game, especially guys with some youth in terms of some of those rotations?" We talked to Jedd (Fisch) yesterday. He said it was the best game for Kodi so far. What did you see from the long film that might just back up that assertion? "I think in game three he played with a different kind of confidence. And it's no matter who you're playing, but I think he went out there with a different mindset. I think he practiced differently all last week, which is great to see from him. So carrying that over into Big Ten play is something that's hugely important and I think that's what really stood out is overall confidence, the intention of how you practice in a given week and go out and perform was something that stood out to me about Kodi." What was the thought process of going with John outside as opposed to maybe bringing in Soane Faasolo if you wanted to have Kodi take a breather? "I wanted to see (Mills) in that tackle. He was able to do it in two games last year and did it on the right side when replacing Drew (Azzopardi). I think that he brings the ability to play outside on the edge. A guy like Soane absolutely could but I wanted to see it early in the season in terms of what that may look like throughout the rest of the season." What are some things from this last game that you feel like can carry forward for this group? Obviously it was an FCS team, but what are the principles that you saw executed that you feel like can continue against Minnesota? "There was improvement in terms of some of the run game. There was improvement in situational football in terms of short yardage, in terms of goal line. No matter the opponent, you're still going to get something out of a given game. And I think you've got to understand in terms of a group that's gelling and getting in a bit of a groove, it's important. So to feel some of those things throughout the game, to have an explosive run with Brian (Bonner), I think that brings in real confidence. I think that these running backs are feeling it in a different way after last week as well. The offensive line the same way. So it's important to me, part of our journey this year in saying, okay, we had some success. How does that carry over to our next opponent? How does that carry over to Minnesota in Big Ten play? I think it was great for the offense in terms of what we were able to do. Still plenty to improve upon forever and always but I thought it was great for the group." With Landen Hatchett trying to come back here, is it a matter of him just being able to get a really good grip on the football is what's going to determine when he's ready? "No, it's up to the doctors in terms of officially being cleared. And that's really the thing that's in play here. So he's on a contact progression and he's going through some limited practices. And we'll continue to see what it looks like from the medical point of view and whatever they decide is the time." But he is not going to officially cleared as of today? "I do not believe so. He's still through contact progression so trying to see what that looks like this week." You mentioned last time we talked to you, you felt like the pass protection was a little bit ahead of the run blocking. Does incorporating more of a short passing game really kind of help you guys solidify that, especially for an o-line that's still gelling a little bit? "Yeah, I think any of the quick game stuff, any of the perimeter run game answers you saw in the game... really it's about how you attack the defense and what they're giving you idn terms of, are you seeing a 7th and the box is 6 and you've got good leverage for your run game answers? We're going to throw them. And we're also going to have explosive plays off it. If you're getting different looks in terms of the box is light, we're going to run the football. So I think it's unique in terms of protection as well. Is it run actions? Is it quick game? Is it some screens in terms of the halfbacks, how you're evolving those things? But I think as Coach Fisch calls the offense, it's unique to give you different looks and do different things which pose threats to the defense consistently." Was there a light bulb moment during the game where all of a sudden it was like, okay, that's what it's supposed to look like. That's what we've been working on. That's what we're aiming for? "I think with the early scores and the guys feeling that confidence in the sideline, the guys coming off the field with some juice, with some energy, it was good to see. That was lacking in two weeks prior. And we focused on that in terms of celebrating those wins, celebrating a good play, celebrating a touchdown. Finding small victories throughout the week leading up to it, finding small victories throughout the game. You've got to enjoy the game. You go through this thing and always trudging through, and the only time you're celebrating is a touchdown. It's not a fun place to live. So I think we really placed that emphasis on the team, the group. And as those guys kind of felt that early on in the game and had the ability to keep on having success throughout brought a little bit of joy and confidence to the group overall." What are some of the traits of this offensive line that make that screen game so impactful? "I think the ability with the athleticism of the guys, especially outside on the perimeter, even our guards getting out they have an ability to get out in open space and cover some ground. So I think overall athleticism in that group stands out in those situations." You played at Ball State, right? "Yes." Have you talked to Darin Conley about your mutual experiences at the alma mater? "Absolutely. We've talked a lot about Muncie, Indiana and shared some stories. But DC's an awesome guy. He had a great experience there. So, yeah, had a couple discussions about that." Anthony Smith, All-Big Ten honoree last year on a lot of lists. What kind of challenges does he pose specifically to your offensive line? "Really good player. And obviously having a plan for him. This week it's been a big discussion in terms of early game planning, making sure that we're putting ourselves in good positions, whether it's protection, whether it's run game. But for sure he will be a focus in terms of our game plan and how we're going to attack." Does their front remind you of anybody that you've seen already? Schematically. "Schematically? No, nobody comes to mind. I think it's a good unit. I think it's one of the strengths of their defense. They've got real length. They've got true Big Ten size. You're going to see some of these guys on the field that have been in the program for a couple of years and built up. But it's a good unit. Linebackers the same. They've got some big linebackers who are fast and physical and play downhill. But it's a good-looking Big Ten defense. That's for sure." This is going to be your biggest challenge this season so far. What are you hoping to see from this group on Saturday? "Consistency throughout the game and carry over from last week in terms of what we're able to do. Confidence in our ability and our scheme. We go out and play fast and physical, go out and play knowing what to do and how to do it. I think that those guys are going to do that starting today in practice and having that mindset in terms of an attacking mentality."