Kickoff: 2 p.m. at Martin Stadium.
TV: none.
Radio: KRKO radio (1380 AM).
Washington State: 4-1, 1-0 in the Pacific-10 Conference.
Arizona: 1-4, 0-1 in the Pac-10.
Washington State: Bill Doba (4-1 in his first year).
Arizona: Mike Hankwitz (0-0 in his first game since taking over for John Mackovic).
Players to watch: Washington State – Quarterback Matt Kegel averages 256 passing yards a game, second in the conference. He also has eight TD passes and just three interceptions. Sammy Moore and Devard Darling are two of the more dangerous receivers in the conference. Jonathan Smith is fifth in the conference in rushing and averages 5.1 yards an attempt. The defense has been spectacular, with 13 interceptions, including seven at Oregon last week. Jason David and Virgil Williams have three apiece, while Erik Coleman has a pair. The Cougars lead the Pac-10 with a plus-14 turnover rating. USC is second with plus-6.
Arizona – Coach Mike Hankwitz is in the spotlight as much as anybody, having taken over Sunday as the head guy for John Mackovic. Hankwitz has been a defensive coordinator for the last 19 years, including stints at Texas A&M, Colorado and Kansas. What he will change will be interesting. Will he go with true freshman quarterback Kris Heavner, who started last week against TCU, sophomore Nic Costa (a great runner), or redshirt freshman Ryan O’Hara? Each has started this season. The ‘Cats have a similar dilemma at tailback, with Clarence Farmer, Mike Bell and Beau Carr. Farmer rushed for a Pac-10-leading 1,229 yards in 2001, but blew out his knee the following season.
Washington State: OL Sam Lightbody (knee) is questionable. OL Mike Shelford (neck/shoulder) is questionable.
Arizona: OT Brandon Phillips (knee) is out. DE David Sharp (academics) is out. WR Andrae Thurman (academics) is out.
Washington State: The Cougs have to play their usual game and not become wildly overconfident because of Arizona’s much-documented problems. If Kegel is anywhere near sharp, if the offensive line plays anywhere near its capabilities and if the defense treats Arizona anywhere nearly as poorly as it did Oregon, the Cougars will be in good shape.
Arizona: Sometimes, a change at the top results in early, if temporary, spectacular dividends. The Wildcats played surprisingly well in a 13-10 defeat to TCU Saturday. Confidence is a funny thing, and maybe UA is starting to get it. Without it, the Wildcats have no chance.
The Cougars have too many weapons, the Wildcats too few.
Pick: Washington State, 38-9.
John Sleeper, Herald Writer
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