Washington Huskies

STEVE SARKISIAN SWELLED WITH PRIDE AS HE STOOD AT MIDFIELD shortly after the Huskies' 19--7 win over Nebraska last Dec. 30, watching his team celebrate with the Holiday Bowl trophy. "To look around at those seniors, who had endured so much in their careers here," Sarkisian says, "I was just so proud of them." It was a crowning moment for the third-year coach, who inherited a team that finished 0--12 in 2008 and has improved its record each year since. But winning only breeds the desire for more, and even after the graduation of All-America QB Jake Locker, expectations for the program are rising.

Five starters return on offense, including Chris Polk, whose 1,415 yards rushing last year was the second-best single-season total in school history and who is poised for a big encore as a junior. Sarkisian says Polk's focus on conditioning this off-season was relentless, calling him a "war daddy" in the weight room. Sophomore Keith Price will start at quarterback (with Nick Montana, son of Joe, waiting in the wings) and throw to receivers Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar, a 6-foot, 188-pound speedster. Still, success moving the ball will hinge on a young offensive line and whether there will be some quick learning at several skill positions.

The defense really struggled at times last fall—giving up 138 points in a span of three midseason losses—but righted the ship when it allowed an average of just 13.75 points over the last four games of the year. While eight starters return, only Cort Dennison will bring any experience to the linebackers' corps; the Huskies' playmakers on D are in the secondary and at noseguard in Alameda Ta'amu. If some young players can fill the defensive gaps, Washington should pick up right where it left off last season.

Sarkisian's incoming class should be his best yet, highlighted by tight ends Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who will likely see time right away, and redshirt freshman Michael Hartvigson, a crushing 6' 6", 246-pound blocker. They will help solidify a position that's been nonexistent for the Huskies in recent years. "We went from having basically no tight end to two really good ones," Sarkisian says.

Washington's seven wins last year raised the bar. Anything less this season will be a disappointment.

THE VITALS

COACH Steve Sarkisian (3rd year) 12--13 (9--9 in Pac-10)

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR Doug Nussmeier

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Nick Holt