Overview

The Washington football team will enter the 2012 season hoping to take the next step in the fourth year under coach Steve Sarkisian. The 2011 season ended with a 7-6 record identical to 2010, and ended with a big question mark about the defense after a 67-56 loss to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl that resulted in the firing of defensive coordinator Nick Holt and two other defensive assistant coaches.

Quarterback Keith Price returns for the Huskies, but they seem certain to lose running back Chris Polk, along with receiving stalwarts Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar, and offensive line leader Senio Kelemete.

Quotable

"As a program collectively, I'm going to evaluate everything. ... We obviously need to improve, and we'll look at every facet of it to see if we can improve with what we have or if we've got to go in another direction." — Sarkisian, after the Alamo Bowl loss and before firing Holt

Prediction

UW should have enough offense to beat bad teams, but may not have enough to compete with Oregon, USC and LSU, the marquee nonconference team on its 2012 schedule. Looks like another 7-5 regular season.

Bob Condotta