SEATTLE - When Washington's first bye arrived last month, it was seen as a chance for a new beginning and a needed break after a brutal three-week stretch that opened the season.

The Huskies (0-5, 0-2 Pac-10) returned from their second bye of the season on Monday as one of only two winless Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country, along with North Texas. This time the bye only seems like a delay in what shapes up as another losing season.

Washington's players enjoyed the bye for the chance at lighter practices and the opportunity to get redshirt freshman quarterback Ronnie Fouch even more acclimated in the offense before hosting Oregon State on Saturday.

But the Huskies coaches were busy on the road trying to sell the program to recruits who have no idea if Washington head coach Tyrone Willingham and his staff will be around next year.

The response was tepid at best.

Most recruiting services have the Huskies pegged with only five verbal commitments for their 2009 recruiting class. Prospects are waiting to see if Washington can produce a remarkable turnaround in the final seven games and save Willingham's job, or if there will be a new regime running the Huskies' program next year.

Willingham acknowledged Monday it's been a tough go. When asked if getting some type of vote of confidence from athletic director Scott Woodward would help, Willingham quickly replied, "absolutely." So far, the only commitment Woodward has made is that Willingham will not be removed at midseason, even if the losing continues.

"Those things will all count. Any positives that we move forward with help with everything we're trying to do," Willingham said.

The biggest blow for Willingham was the recent decision by defensive tackle Deandre Coleman, regarded as the top recruit in the state of Washington, to take back his verbal commitment to the Huskies. The Huskies have already used 12 true freshmen this season and could use another bountiful recruiting class to help build depth.

Willingham said potential recruits aren't shy about asking about the swirling rumors that he's on his way out. He said he believes most kids the Huskies are talking to have taken the approach of "waiting and watching."

Willingham believes if the Huskies can turn around their losing ways, they can still garner a strong recruiting class.

Prospects "can see themselves coming in and helping our program and helping us get back," he said.

As for issues with his current players, the Huskies suffered a significant blow when Willingham announced that starting right guard Casey Bulyca is likely headed for knee surgery that could end his senior season. Willingham said Bulyca's knee has been bothering him for quite a while and the best move at this time is for Bulyca to get the knee repaired. Sophomore Ryan Tolar will take Bulyca's spot in the starting lineup.

"That is something that has been going on for quite a while. Casey has done a great job fighting through it, but it just reached a point where it's better to do the surgery," Willingham said.

Cornerback Byron Davenport and running back Brandon Yakaboski will also have knee surgeries in the near future and both most likely are done for the season.

Willingham also said medical staff believes freshman running back David Freeman has high ankle sprains in both ankles, but hopes to have Freeman participating more in practice this week.