Stanford quarterback Randy Fanani is not a student of Pac-10 football history.

He cannot name the last 15 champions or recite the league MVPs since 1990. But before spring practice, Fasani came face to face with the only piece of league history that's relevant to Stanford this season.

That's when offensive coordinator Bill Diedrick mentioned that six of the last seven conference champions started senior quarterbacks.

Fasani didn't need to know John Robinson from Jackie Robinson to understand Diedrick's message: Stanford's chances to win the conference title depend largely on the play of Fasani, a fifth-year senior from the Sacramento suburbs.

"If you play the position, you have to be ready to carry all the pressure on your shoulders,'' said Fasani, who started only eight games last season because of a knee injury. "But I think if I had been healthy last season, we would have had a good chance to win the Pac-10.''

Instead, the Cardinal finished 5-6 overall and 4-4 in the conference, good enough for fourth place. This year, with nine offensive starters returning, Stanford seemingly has enough ingredients to contend for the conference title: The top seven offensive linemen return, as does the entire offensive backfield and three of the top four receivers.

Sure, the Cardinal must find a way to replace three departed all-conference players: receiver DeRonnie Pitts and its dynamite defensive duo of tackle Willie Howard and linebacker Riall Johnson. But Stanford doesn't need a dominant defense to thrive in the offensive-minded Pac-10.

What it needs, above all, is stellar play from its senior quarterback -- the same type of performance it got from Todd Husak during the Rose Bowl charge in 1999.

No one would complain if Fasani repeated last year's efficiency. He completed 51.7 percent of his passes, with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. In his eight starts, Stanford was 5-3 and averaged 29.8 points. In the three games he did not play, Stanford was 0-3 and averaged 7.6 points.

"The dimension a quarterback adds is partly leadership and experience,'' coach Tyrone Willingham said. "It's also reflected in passing, but it doesn't mean you have to be the leader in the conference. You also have to have a strong rushing attack.''

Stanford figures to have that, and one of the best offensive lines in the league with a pair of 6-foot-7 sophomores (Kirk Chambers on the left side, Kwame Harris on the right), all-league guard Eric Heitmann and a slew of experienced players competing for the other spots.

The backfield has plenty of experience, as well. Tailbacks Kerry Carter and Brian Allen return, as does underrated fullback Casey Moore. Carter gained 770 yards last season and could be one of the top runners in the league. Allen provides a nice change of pace.

But the Cardinal won't run the ball effectively unless its passing game keeps defenses honest. One of the biggest concerns is replacing Pitts, who caught 77 passes -- more than all the other receivers combined. The top candidates are senior Jamien McCullum, junior Ryan Wells and speedy sophomore Luke Powell. The trio combined for 51 catches and eight touchdowns last season.

Another possibility is third-string quarterback Teyo Johnson, who experimented at receiver in the spring. Johnson, 6-foot-7 and a forward for the Stanford basketball team, might be the team's best all-around talent.

Replacing Teyo's brother Riall, who played outside linebacker in the base defense and end in passing situations, will be difficult. Inside linebacker Anthony Gabriel, who has decent size and speed, has been moved outside and given a chance to win the job. Incoming freshman Michael Craven, one of the top linebackers in the country last year, might also get a chance.

Another concern: Who fills Howard's role as the primary run-stopper? The favorite is junior Matt Leonard, a former prep All-American. Craig Albrecht, who transferred from Northwestern two years ago, Trey Freeman and Travis Pfiefer are the other tackle candidates.

The secondary lost only one starter, safety Aaron Focht, but the anchor is back: strong safety Tank Williams, a 215-pounder who hits like his name and earned second-team all-league honors last season. Incumbent cornerbacks Ryan Fernandez and Ruben Carter will have plenty of competition from senior Brian Taylor and youngsters Stanley Wilson, O.J. Atogwe and Leigh Torrence.

Aside from blocking three punts, the special teams weren't so special last year. Kicker Mike Biselli was an all-conference selection in '99, but made just 7 of 12 field goals last season. The return teams produced exactly one touchdown. The punting also was a problem.

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