Portland St. @ Washington preview

Washington quarterback Keith Price could have a big day when the Huskies host Portland State of the FCS on Saturday. Price, who was third in the Pac-12 in touchdown passes last season with a school-record 33, will face a defense that allowed six in a 45-37 loss at North Dakota last week. Washington will look to get its offense rolling after a 41-3 loss at No. 3 LSU, which followed a less-than-inspiring 21-12 victory over San Diego State in the season opener. The Huskies lost top running back Jesse Callier for the season with a torn ACL against the Aztecs and will rely on Bishop Sankey to carry the load. Washington struggled against the Tigers, with 26 of its 183 total yards on the ground, including 16 on eight carries by Sankey.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, FX. LINE: None

ABOUT PORTLAND STATE (1-1): The Vikings were picked in the preseason poll to finish second in the Big Sky Conference. They are coached by former Washington safety Nigel Burton, who is 10-14 in his third season. Portland State outgained North Dakota 515-401, including 301 yards on 21-of-42 passing by Kieran McDonagh, a freshman from Vancouver, Wash. McDonagh's go-to receiver is senior Justin Monahan, who had six catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns last week. Junior running back DJ Adams leads the Vikings in rushing with 235 yards (7.5 yards per carry) with two touchdowns. Senior linebacker Ian Sluss leads the defense with 14 tackles. The Vikings are 2-27 all-time against FBS teams, with victories over New Mexico (17-6 in 2006) and Hawaii (45-20 in 2000).

ABOUT WASHINGTON (1-1): Sankey, who along with Callier was expected to try to fill the void left by Chris Polk (1,488 yards, 12 touchdowns in 2011), must carry most of the load. He had 66 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries against San Diego State and should find the Vikings' defense more to his liking. Freshman running back Erich Wilson II moves up the depth chart and must provide support for Sankey. He has 47 yards on six carries. The offense, though, goes through Price. His top target is sophomore tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who has 15 receptions with an average of 8.9 yards. Defensively, the Huskies must figure out how to stop the run. They are allowing 220 yards per game - 103rd among 120 FBS teams. Overall, Washington is averaging only 255.5 yards per game (117th) and allowing 382.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Price is the most accurate passer in Washington history with a completion percentage of .645.

2. The teams have never met. Washington last played a Big Sky team in its 2011 opener, a 30-27 victory over Eastern Washington.

3. The Huskies next play Sept. 27 at No. 21 Stanford before going to No. 4 Oregon and hosting No. 3 USC.

PREDICTION: Washington 52, Portland State 31