Washington State @ UCLA preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2010 ) Washington State 28, UCLA 42

THE STORY: After rallying to beat Colorado a week ago, Washington State is off to its best start since 2006. The Cougars surprisingly bring the nation’s fourth-ranked passing offense into Saturday’s Pac-12 contest against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. The Bruins have beaten Washington State three straight times but its suspect defense was exposed by Stanford’s Andrew Luck last week. UCLA is averaging nearly 200 yards rushing this season and the Bruins ran for 441 yards against Washington State last season in a 42-28 victory.

TV: FSN. LINE: UCLA -3

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (3-1, 1-0 Pac-12 South): The Cougars rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to win at Colorado 31-27 a week ago, the 500th win in the program’s history. While starting quarterback Jeff Tuel has been cleared to play after recovering from a broken collarbone, Washington State intends to stick with veteran backup Marshall Lobbestael, who has thrown 13 touchdown passes against three interceptions this season. Washington State is ranked 10th in scoring at 44 points per game and Lobbestael has completed 63 percent of his passes.

ABOUT UCLA (2-3, 1-1): UCLA was able to move the ball against Stanford last week but made several crucial mistakes as it tried to get back into the contest it eventually lost 45-19. But UCLA never really threatened to upset the Cardinal, who toyed with the Bruins' shaky defense. Richard Brehaut seems to have locked up the quarterback spot for the Bruins and their running back duo of Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman are productive. But other than that, they have few answers. UCLA’s kicking game is also a mess and coach Rick Neuheisel certainly has little reason to be confident in it. The Bruins scored the final 22 points of the game to beat Washington State last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Saturday marks the third straight road game for the Cougars.

2. UCLA leads the all-time series 38-18-1 and is 22-9 at home, but Washington State has won three of the past five games at the Rose Bowl.

3. Cougars receiver Marquess Wilson has six catches of 50 or more yards in his career, including last week’s 63-yard game-winner against Colorado.

PREDICTION: Washington State 34, UCLA 27 - The Bruins’ defense is lifeless and doesn’t seemed focused enough to prepare for a surprisingly strong offense in Washington State.