WSU vs. Arizona St.

Herald Staff

Kickoff: 2 p.m. today at Martin Stadium, Pullman

TV, radio: no live TV, KJR radio (950 AM).

Washington State: 3-3, 1-2 in Pacific-10 Conference play.

Arizona St.: 4-2, 1-2 in Pacific-10 Conference play.

Washington State: Mike Price, 108-113 in his 19th year overall, 62-69 in his 12th year at WSU.

Arizona State: Bruce Snyder, 56-41 in nine seasons at ASU, 124-102-5 in his 22nd year overall.

Washington State: Quarterback Jason Gesser threw for 368 yards and six TDs against a very good Arizona defense last week. Tailbacks Dave Minnich and Deon Burnett both are in the top 10 in the conference in rushing. Wideout Milton Wynn has 32 receptions, third in the conference, for 574 yards and five TDs.

Arizona State: Linebacker Adam Archuleta leads a stout Sun Devil defense that has forced 12 turnovers on Washington in the last two years. Quarterback Jeff Krohn is back after a bout of mononucleosis. Tailback Mike Williams, a true freshman, is among the conference rushing leaders.

Washington State: DL Austin Matson (ankle, knee) is questionable; LB Serign Marong (back) is doubtful; WR Jason White (ankle) is probable; TB Dave Minnich (knee) is probable; FS Lamont Thompson (neck) is out; K Nick Lambert (quad) is out; DB Wendell Smith (shoulder) is out; LB Ing Aleaga (foot) is out; OL Sam Lightbody (thumb) is out; T Reed Raymond (knee) is out. ; OL Ryan Raymond (neck) out.

Arizona State: TE Todd Heap (hip) is probable; TB Mike Williams (toe) is probable; DE Terrell Suggs (ribs) is out.

Washington State: The offense’s effectiveness is not even a question. In a conference of great quarterbacks, Gesser might be the best. But his efforts have been wasted with shoddy defensive efforts. If the Cougs can’t put a cap on ASU’s deep patterns, it could be a long day for them.

Arizona State: Pressure Gesser and don’t repeat the six-turnover disaster against Washington. Suggs is a big loss, but linebackers Solomon Bates and Adam Archuleta might be able to hurry Gesser with blitz packages. If not, ASU is vulnerable in one-on-one coverage.

Give the edge to ASU’s defense, but if the Sun Devils are as careless with the ball as tey were a week ago, this will be a track meet.

Pick: WSU, 44-41.

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