Washington Huskies
2000 overall record: 11-1
Conference record: 7-1 (t-1st)
Returning starters
Offense: 5
Defense: 6
Kickers: 1
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Rich Alexis* (738 yds)
Passing: Marques Tuiasosopo (2,146 yds)
Receiving: Todd Elstrom* (683 yds)
Tackles: Hakim Akbar and Derrell Daniels (97 each)
Sacks: Larry Tripplett* (6.5)
Interceptions: Omare Lowe* and Akbar (2 each)
What's new
There will be a lot of new faces on the offensive line, which lost four of five starters plus its top two reserves. That group was the heart of the Pac-10's top rushing attack last season (212 ypg). The 2001 O-line will certainly be young, with five redshirt freshmen on the post-spring two-deep.
Battling it out
No school has consistently replaced star quarterbacks better than Washington. Sophomore Cody Pickett came out of the spring as the leader to replace Marques Tuiasosopo, but he has competition. Pickett completed just one pass in the regular season but had two on a crucial drive in the Rose Bowl. He is being challenged by transfer Taylor Barton, who played for Neuheisel at Colorado and then went to the City College of San Francisco.
Eye catcher: WR Paul Arnold
The former running back was sidelined the last half of 2000 with back problems and was moved to flanker in the spring. He showed great hands and obviously has great running skills after the catch. Arnold capped off an impressive month with five receptions for 108 yards and a TD in the spring game.
Budding star: DT Marcus Roberson
Playing in the shadow of Larry Tripplett, Roberson had an outstanding second half of last season. The powerful, blue-collar type lineman quietly recorded six sacks in 2000 and was a disruptive force in the offensive backfield. With he and Tripplett inside, it will be very difficult to run on the Huskies this year.
Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year.
