Oregon may be the preseason favorite to win the Pac-10, but the race for the conference title appears to be wide open -- and Washington is in the mix.

Coach Rick Neuheisel's Huskies went 8-4 last year (6-2 Pac-10). They approach the 2002 season with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and will benefit from the return of 11 players who underwent offseason shoulder surgery (seven actually played last year with the pain associated with a separated shoulder). While the Huskies hope to be healthier, the schedule also appears to be more manageable.

	Junior QB Cody Pickett is back to lead the Huskies' attack.

After an intriguing season opener at The Big House in Ann Arbor against Michigan, the Huskies have five straight winnable home games (San Jose State, Wyoming, Idaho, California and Arizona). Then they travel to USC on Oct. 19. The toughest part of the schedule comes when they face a rough four-game stretch that begins with UCLA and Oregon State at home in early November followed by road games at Oregon and Washington State to close the season.

OFFENSE
Opponents will have a major dilemma on their hands when preparing for the Huskies' offense, led by poised, super-tough junior QB Cody Pickett. Gifted sophomore WR Reggie Williams is one of the nation's premier offensive weapons. Blessed with awesome skill, Williams (6-3½, 214) could prove to be uncoverable in the Pac-10. But if you focus solely on Williams, underrated senior WR Paul Arnold (6-1, 205) will make you pay. Arnold, a converted tailback, had 43 receptions for a 15.1-yard average and four TDs last season. Arnold can accelerate past cornerbacks on deeper routes and be a factor in the open field after the catch.

The Huskies will miss talented TE Jerramy Stevens, who departed early for the NFL after his junior year. But don't forget that Stevens missed most of the 2001 season with a foot injury. Senior TE Kevin Ware has plenty of big-game experience and is a more effective blocker than Stevens. And while he doesn't present the matchup problem in coverage that Stevens does, Ware has proven to be an adequate pass-receiving option.

With four of five starters returning on the offensive line -- led by standout sophomore LT Khalif Barnes -- Neuheisel and his staff are looking for more consistency from the ground game. Junior RB Rich Alexis will be key. He has the ability to turn the corner and make things happen, but this season he also needs to get the tough yards between the tackles.

DEFENSE
Utilizing a 3-4 scheme, Washington's success on defense will be dictated by how a relatively inexperienced and unproven defensive line holds up. NT Jerome Stevens is the most seasoned performer, but the player to watch closely is Manase Hopoi, who wreaked havoc as a member of the scout team while he sat out his freshman campaign last year.

If Kai Ellis can remain at full strength, he has a chance to reestablish himself as a force off the edge as a pass-rushing outside linebacker (Ellis was bothered by a knee injury last year). At the other outside linebacker, Jafar Williams is also coming off the injury list; he missed all of last season due to a shoulder injury.

At inside linebacker, three-year starter Ben Mahdavi has been the Huskies' most consistent performer, while sophomore Joseph Lobendahn was the major surprise of the spring, utilizing his impressive sideline-to-sideline speed and explosive striking ability to earn a starting job.

Junior SS Greg Carothers is the heart and soul of the secondary, ranking as a real factor in run support. The Huskies have the necessary speed at cornerback in juniors Roc Alexander and Derrick Johnson. Johnson has won a starting job after missing last season with a foot injury. A major plus on special teams is the leg strength and overall ability of senior placekicker John Anderson.