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Keith Gilbertson, the offensive coordinator under Neuheisel for the past four seasons, inherited Neuheisel's post. Heisman Trophy candidates Reggie Williams (at wide receiver) and Cody Pickett (at quarterback) are no strangers to Gilbertson's system, but can the UW bounce back from losing its head coach with less than three months before the season? The Huskies need to find a running back who can give balance to the offense, as well as a few defensive standouts to put fear into opponents and come up with big plays. If those players don't materialize, Washington can forget about contending for the Pac-10 title. OFFENSIVE KEYS: Washington can accomplish a lot with Pickett and Williams, but the potent combination needs to be a part of the picture, not the whole picture. Gilbertson's primary concern will be turning around the running game, the most disappointing element of last year's team. After two consecutive disappointing seasons at tailback, Rich Alexis could be replaced this season by Kenny James, Chris Singleton, Shelton Sampson or some combination of those three.The Huskies rushed for an all-time school low of 74.5 yards per game last season. They averaged 211 yards rushing per game in 2000 when they were 11-1 and won the Rose Bowl. The offensive line showed it can give Pickett plenty of protection. But now the line needs to prove it can open holes for the running backs to give the Huskies a more balanced attack. Every starter but one returns to the line, which will be led by center Todd Bachert. DEFENSIVE KEYS: Six starters return on a defense that finally started to show late in the 2002 season that it could come up with the big plays needed to win games.Defensive tackle Terry Johnson has the potential speed and strength to become a force up front, something the Huskies lacked most of last year. Inside linebacker Marquis Cooper could be the best defender on the field with the way he gets to the ball. The switch of strong safety Greg Carothers to linebacker should improve the overall defense. Although quarterbacks put up big numbers and big plays against the defensive backfield early in the season, the Huskies started to make a few big plays of their own later in the year. Cornerback Derrick Johnson had five interceptions and is expected to have another strong year. Speedy Roc Alexander will handle the other corner. The Huskies are looking for a strong leader among the safeties, which could turn out to be Evan Benjamin or Jimmy Newell. SPECIAL TEAMS: The Huskies will turn all of their kicking duties over to two true freshmen -- placekicker Michael Braunstein and punter Sean Douglas. Frederick was the only Husky to return a punt last season and also had 30 kick returns. He has plenty of moves, although he has only one career touchdown on a return.FINAL ANALYSIS: In one week in June, Washington went from being labeled a Pac-10 contender to being labeled a "program in turmoil." Granted, Gilbertson has head coaching experience (at Cal from 1992-1995), but Husky players had become accustomed to Neuheisel's maverick attitude over the past four years; will they be able to adapt quickly to a new regime?A poor running game and a weak defense proved to be the Huskies' undoing in a disappointing 7-6 season in 2002. The same questions remain this season: the running game must improve and the defense needs to make more big plays. Washington has possibly the best passing combination in the nation in Pickett-to-Williams, but it takes much more than a record-setting passing attack to win 10 or more games. The potential is there for a Pac-10 title, but no Neuheisel means no stability in Seattle; there are simply too many question marks heading into the season opener at defending champion Ohio State. • Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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