Think it's about quarterback Cody Pickett and whether he can win a Heisman Trophy the same year his dad goes into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame?

Well, it could be more about whether the Huskies have developed an adequate backup in the event disaster strikes and Pickett can't go the distance.

Think it's about Reggie Williams, the best receiver alive without his own Sharpie? Perhaps it'll be about the best second banana in college football, Charles Frederick, and a slew of gifted freshmen receivers who don't even know their own names -- never mind you knowing them.

Think it's about the offense finding its missing other half -- the running game? Maybe it's just as much about the defense bringing down its blood pressure a little and ending the chaotic personnel shuttle.

And maybe it's not about new head coach Keith Gilbertson healing the wound left from the misbegotten Rick Neuheisel romance and divorce, but about the tweaking Neuheisel did to his staff before he was desposed that figured to strengthen the program immeasurably anyway.

The Huskies are a conundrum -- a consensus Top 25 team largely because of two superstar players, but with some glaring questions and doubts, not the least of which is a tumultuous off-season which finally unseated Neuheisel.

In his place is a good soldier, Gilbertson, who most in the Husky family are quietly endorsing as a welcome improvement -- a throwback to detail-oriented, tough-minded Don James, yet the man who brought the offense into the 20th century before it was over.

Or how did Gilbertson put it on the day he was finally named head coach?

‘‘I'm not a guy who's really consumed with titles or anything,'' he said. ‘‘I want the chalk.''

Gilby could use an eraser, too, to wipe out the kind of midseason swoon that buried the Huskies a year ago. In a five-game stretch when the clock struck October, the Dawgs lost four times. In those games, they averaged three turnovers and just 37 yards rushing -- compared to 1.7 and 95 yards in their other nine games.

Gilbertson has thrown the tailback job open to a four-man competition, but senior Rich Alexis seems to be floating back to the top -- if only for his ability as a blocker to protect Pickett, still the most valuable commodity the Huskies have.

‘‘Last year, we threw the ball 50 times a game because that was our best chance to win,'' Gilbertson said. ‘‘I hope we don't have to throw it 50 times again, but having the ball in Cody's hands and getting into Reggie's hands and Charles Frederick's hands is going to give us the best chance to win and so that's what we're going to do again.

‘‘We'll do what we do best.''

Much of that will be up to a veteran line which was humbled a year ago, but has been put under a new coach in Dan Cozzetto and looked to be making strides in fall camp.

Washington's defense may have been the most underrated unit in the Pac-10, and seven starters return -- but not gifted corner Nate Robinson, who has opted to play basketball. Still, the Huskies have enough secondary talent that safety Greg Carothers was moved up to linebacker to take advantage of his speed.

‘‘I love it,'' said Carothers. ‘‘I think I can help the team more at this position. I'm not going to have any trouble covering guys because I've done it as a safety and I think I've always played the run well enough.''

Up front, the Huskies need end Manase Hopoi to be a playmaker in the Kai Ellis mold.

An area of considerable angst is the kicking game, where both specialists and deep snappers must be replaced, and the fall camp duels have been close -- particularly at punter, where walk-on Garth Erickson, a senior from Gonzaga Prep, is trying to hold off Sean Douglas.

On the sidelines

Assistants: Tim Hundley, co-defensive coordinator/linebackers; Phil Snow, co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks; John Pettas, offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks; Dan Cozzetto, offensive line; Randy Hart, assistant head coach/defensive line; Chuck Heater, running backs/recruiting coordinator; Cornell Jackson, safeties; Bobby Kennedy, wide receivers; Scott Pelluer, tight ends/special teams.

In the stands

Stadium: Husky Stadium (72,500)

How to get there: From I-5 or I-405 North or South, take Hwy 520 to Montlake Blvd. Exit, cross Montlake Bridge. Main stadium lots will be on your right.

Season tickets: Reserved season tickets are $290 per person for all seven games.

Family plan: General admission (east end zone) ticket package for five games (Indiana, Idaho, Stanford, Nevada and USC) costs $52 per person.

Other plans: Individual game reserved tickets are $34 for non-conference games, $38 for conference games except Oregon and Washington State, which are $52. Oregon and WSU tickets go on sale Aug. 15. Discounts are available for groups of 25 or more by calling 206-616-6194. Individual general admission (east end zone) tickets are priced at $16 for non-conference games, $18 for conference games except Oregon and WSU, which are $25.

On the air

KJR, Seattle, is the radio flagship of the 23-station Husky Sports Network, which includes KJRB 790-AM in Spokane. Bob Rondeau (play-by-play), Chuck Nelson (color), Steve Sandmeyer (sidelines) and Elise Woodward (sidelines) handle the broadcasts.