WSU vs. Boise State

Herald Staff

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

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

Washington State: 2-2.

Boise State: 3-1.

Washington State: Mike Price, 107-112 in his 19th year, 61-68 in his 12th year at WSU.

Boise State: Dirk Koetter, 19-9 in his third season.

Washington State: Quarterback Jason Gesser is coming around as both a runner and a passer. Much of the latter is because of wideout Milton Wynn, who averages 111 receiving yards a game. Marcus Williams, at 6 feet, 5 inches, is emerging as a solid second receiver.

Boise State: Tailback Brock Forsey is a threat as a runner, receiver and return man. Quarterback Bart Hendricks, who brought the Broncos back from a 24-0 deficit to a near win at Arkansas, has been compared favorably to Idaho’s John Welsh.

Washington State: TB Deon Burnett (knee) is probable; LB James Price (hand) is out; DT Melvin Camarena (ankle) is questionable; FS Lamont Thompson (neck) is out; WR Farwan Zubedi (knee) is questionable; 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; S Ira Davis (knee) is out.

Boise State: None reported.

Washington State: Deon Burnett should play after coming off a knee injury and should give Dave Minnich rest when needed. That’s good news for the Cougars, who need to give Gesser all the help he can get. Forsey needs to be controlled.

Boise State: Go in forgetting WSU is in a better conference and simply play. It worked at Arkansas, it will work in Pullman.

Bottom line: Who knows which Cougar team will appear? Boise State is an almost certain Humanitarian Bowl team, which isn’t as hysterical as it sounds.

Pick: Boise State, 38-17.