Washington State @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 4, 2010 ) Washington 35, Washington State 28

THE STORY: Although this is the 104th meeting between Washington and Washington State, this will be the first at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, home of the Seahawks. Washington has six wins and is bowl-eligible; Washington State has four wins and no chance to go to a bowl.

TV: Versus. LINE: Washington -8.5.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (4-7, 2-6 Pac-12 North): Cougars coach Paul Wulff has a 1-2 record in Apple Cup games, and there are some in Pullman who wonder if he is going to need a win in this one to keep his job. Coming up with a victory will not be easy. The Cougars will be without quarterback Connor Halliday, who was released from the hospital Tuesday after having suffered a lacerated liver in last week’s game against Utah. Marshall Lobbestael is likely to get the start in his stead. Ricky Galvin is the Cougars’ top rusher, averaging 5.5 yards per carry.

ABOUT WASHINGTON (6-5, 4-4): Huskies’ coach Steve Sarkisian is 2-0 against the Cougars. Washington has moved the ball reasonably well, but the defense has been uniformly miserable, allowing 34.5 points per game, the second-worst average in school history. One week after Nick Montana (son of Joe) started at quarterback, Keith Price will get the call this week. He got a medical clearance after missing last week’s start, although he did come off the bench. Running back Chris Polk could be a force against a Washington State rushing defense that ranks eighth in the league.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. The Huskies own a 66-31-6 lead in the series which dates back to 1900, when the teams played to a 5-5 tie.

2. The Huskies and Cougars have played 103 times, tied for 14th-most in NCAA history.

3. Polk, a junior, needs 198 yards to reach 4,000 for his career.

PREDICTION: Washington 24, Washington State 13 - The Cougars’ run defense won’t be strong enough to shut down Polk.