WSU vs. Arizona

Herald Staff

Kickoff: 7 p.m. today at Arizona Stadium, Tucson, Ariz.

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

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

Arizona: 4-1, 2-0 in pacific-10 Conference play.

Washington State: Mike Price, 108-112 in his 19th year overall, 62-68 in his 12th year at WSU.

Arizona: Dick Tomey, 157-105-7 in his 24th year overall, 94-59-4 19-9 in his 14th season at Arizona.

Washington State: The Cougar offense lives on the talents of quarterback Jason Gesser, who has been intercepted just twice in five games and hasn’t been picked off in his last 103 pass attempts. Wideout Milton Wynn is second in the conference with an average of 98.2 receiving yards a game.

Arizona: Quarterback Ortege Jenkins is coming around after a horrible start. But the Wildcats have been doing it with defense. They held USC to 10 rushing yards, sacked Carson Palmer five times and forced five turnovers. Anthony Banks and Bobby Wade are 2-3 in the conference in punt returns.

Washington State: QB Jason Gesser (concussion) is probable; WR Curtis Nettles (concussion) is probable; LB Serign Marong (back) is doubtful; WR Jason White (ankle) 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.

Arizona: C Bruce Wiggins (ankle) is questionable; LT Makoa Freitas (foot) is questionable; DE Austin Uku (shoulder) is doubtful; LG Steven Grace (shoulder) is out.

Washington State: The Cougars are only as effective as Gesser is. Protect him and let him do his thing. Of more concern is the defense. Jenkins is settling in now, and is proving to be a handful. WSU has to gain some confidence by stopping Arizona early.

Arizona: Pressure Gesser and don’t let him wander out of the pocket. A repeat performance from the defense of last week’s impressive win at USC would do well.

Bottom line: This is a wild series, where anything can happen. Still, the Wildcats are at home and may have enough against a porous WSU defense.

Pick: Arizona, 30-28.