San Diego State @ Washington preview

Washington hopes to a contender for the Pacific-12 North crown and will get a chance to assess whether it has improved defensively when it opens against San Diego State on Saturday. The Huskies fired defensive coordinator Nick Holt after a disastrous season that concluded by allowing 67 points to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl. Former Tennessee and Boise State defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox is the man charged with turning around the defense. The Aztecs lost a lot of firepower in four-year starting quarterback Ryan Lindley and star runner Ronnie Hillman, and will be one of Washington’s weakest opponents. San Diego State defeated Washington State last season to break a 19-game losing streak against teams that were in the Pac-12 when the Aztecs met them. The Huskies are using CenturyLink Field – where the Seattle Seahawks play – as their home field this season while Husky Stadium undergoes renovations.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Washington -15

ABOUT WASHINGTON (2011: 7-6, 5-4 Pac-12): Junior quarterback Keith Price passed for a school-record 33 touchdowns last season and also a completed a school-best 66.9 percent of his passes. The running back situation is unsettled after Chris Polk (three straight 1,000-yard seasons) skipped his senior season in favor of the NFL. Junior Jesse Callier (260 yards) and sophomore Bishop Sankey (187) will split carries. Sophomore tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins caught six touchdowns last season. The defense will be without end Hau’oli Jamora (knee). Sophomore defensive end Josh Shirley (8.5 sacks last season), junior strong safety Josh Parker (four interceptions) and senior cornerback Desmond Trufant (two interceptions) are the top defenders.

ABOUT SAN DIEGO STATE (8-5, 4-3 MWC): Senior Ryan Katz is the new quarterback after transferring from Oregon State. Katz started against Washington two years ago and passed for 206 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted three times in Oregon State’s 35-34 double-overtime loss. Sophomore Adam Muema (253 yards last season) and senior Walter Kazee (339 yards) will split carries while attempting to replace Hillman. Junior receiver Colin Lockett (58 receptions in 2011) and junior tight end Gavin Escobar (51 catches) are solid targets. Senior cornerback Leon McFadden is San Diego State’s top defender.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington is 2-0 against San Diego, notching victories of 46-25 in 1982 and 36-3 in 1997.

2. Price and McFadden were high school teammates at powerful St. John Bosco in Southern California.

3. The Aztecs have lost each of the last 10 times they opened on the road, dating back to a victory over Colorado State in 1981.

PREDICTION: Washington 40-26