Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. at Husky Stadium.
TV: FSN (cable).
Radio: KJR radio (950 AM), KRKO radio (1380 AM).
Washington: 5-6, 3-4 in the Pacific-10 Conference.
WSU: 9-2, 6-1 in the Pac-10.
Washington: Keith Gilbertson (53-43 in his eighth year overall, 5-5 in his first year at Washington).
WSU: Bill Doba (9-2 in his first year).
Washington: While quarterback Cody Pickett topped the 10,000-yard Pac-10 career passing mark, he still needs 237 to reach that plateau on the NCAA career list. The NCAA only started counting bowl games last year. If he does reach that mark, he and receiver Reggie Williams will become the first quarterback-wideout combination ever to reach 10,000 passing and 3,000 receiving yards over the same seasons together. Williams has 3,477 career yards. Tailback Kenny James has been slowed with an ankle sprain and a slight quad tear, but should play. If not, the Huskies will give more carries to Shelton Sampson, a swift outside runner. Receivers Charles Frederick and Isaiah Stanback have done a solid job of giving secondaries someone to worry about besides Williams. The UW offensive line, headed by senior center Todd Bachert, will have to hold up against a great WSU pass rush. On defense, Terry Johnson causes problems whether he lines up at tackle or end. He has 16 1/2 tackles for loss, including nine sacks. Linebacker Marquis Cooper has a team-high 84 tackles, 8 1/2 for loss. Outside linebacker Greg Carothers has 10 tackles for loss, including four sacks.
WSU: Quarterback Matt Kegel has two sore shoulders and a bum knee, but should play. He has been a fine leader for the offense and, despite multiple injuries, a fine passer, with 18 TD throws. Jonathan Smith is the fourth-leading rusher in the conference, a good receiver out of the backfield and a dangerous kick returner. The Cougs have six players with 20 receptions or more. Devard Darling leads the pack with 43 receptions for 764 yards and six TDs. Sammy Moore averages nearly 23 yards a catch and has four TD receptions. He also is a fine punt and kick returner. The defense may be the quickest in the conference. Corner Jason David has six interceptions, two for touchdowns. Erik Coleman also has picked off six passes. Defensive end D.D. Acholonu leads the team with 13 1/2 tackles for loss, including 10 1/2 sacks. Place-kicker Drew Dunning 23-of-26 attempts, including 8-of-10 from 40 to 49 yards.
Washington: TB Chris Singleton (foot) is out. ILB Joe Lobendahn (knee) is out. OT Rob Meadow (knee) is out. TE Joe Toledo (back, ankle) is out. OG Tusi Sa’au (back) is out. WR Justin Robbins (knee) is out. TB Rich Alexis (quad) is out. TB Kenny James (quad, ankle) is questionable. CB Chris Massey (hernia) is out. WR Charles Frederick (chest) is probable. SS Owen Biddle (shoulder) is doubtful. DE Brandon Ala (hamstring) is questionable. FS James Sims (hamstring) is questionable.
WSU: QB Matt Kegel (shoulder, knee) is questionable. LB Al Genatone (ankle) is out. OL Charles Harris (ankle) is questionable. WR Thomas Ostrander (back) is out. OL Billy Knotts (thumb) is out. TB Allen Thompson (shoulder) is out. DT Brian Boyer (back) is out.
Washington: The big question for the Huskies is whether the offensive line can turn back the WSU pass rush. If it can protect Pickett, it opens up a lot of possibilities. Reggie Williams is more likely to break a big play. Or Charles Frederick. Kenny James can help here, too, with solid runs up the middle to keep the Cougars honest. None will be easy. WSU uses its speed to disrupt anything an offense wants to do, and the Cougars won’t hesitate to bring everybody on a blitz. Then, too, is the Huskies’ willingness to put forth an all-out effort, unlike their haphazard game against Cal.
WSU: The Cougars have to get it out of their minds that they’ve lost the last five Apple Cups. With 16 senior starters, that shouldn’t be a problem. If Kegel can’t go, or if he gets knocked out of the game, freshman Josh Swogger has been effective in relief. Either way, Smith has to carry a big load, as well as Darling and the rest of the receivers. If the pass rush gets to Pickett, the secondary may have a field day.
Unless the Huskies find some kind of life they haven’t shown since Oregon State, this will be done early. The feeling, though, is that they’re so tired of hearing how bad they are, they may put out. Will it be enough? Probably not today, but crazy things happen in the Apple Cup.
Pick: Washington State, 34-20.
By John Sleeper, Herald Writer
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