First look

Time: 2 p.m. Saturday. TV: None

The records: WSU 1-7, 0-5 in Pac-10; Stanford 4-4, 3-2

Last games: Stanford lost to UCLA, 24-21, on Oct. 18

WSU lost to USC, 69-0, on Oct 18.

Last time: WSU defeated Stanford, 33-17, in Pullman last season.

The line: Stanford by 30.

What it means for WSU

After the Cougars’ bye week, they enter the last five games of the season trying to finish on a winning note. That opportunity is there because Arizona is the only team with a winning record among WSU’s final five opponents. It all starts with Stanford, one of the Pac-10’s also-rans the past two seasons, but a .500 club this one despite two close road losses to Notre Dame and UCLA. If the Cougars can upset the Cardinal, then a 3-2 finish just might be possible.

What it means for Stanford

The Cardinal needs six wins to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2001. To get there, they’ll need this win against WSU and an upset over Oregon, USC or Cal. Winning one of those games is possible, but two? That could be pretty tough, so an expected win against the Cougars is basically a must for the Cardinal’s bowl hopes.

Key matchup

Stanford running back Toby Gerhart vs. WSU defensive tackles A’i Ahmu and Matt Eichelberger.

Gerhart, a 6-foot-1, 228-pounder, has pounded his way to 779 yards this season, despite nagging injuries that have cost him carries. Still, with a 5.6 yards per rush average and speed to go with his size, when healthy the junior has been tough for anyone to stop. Against UCLA, Gerhart carried a career-high 27 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Still, he should be well-rested Saturday, as should all the Cardinal players, who are coming off a bye week, just like the Cougars. WSU’s Ahmu and Eichelberger need to clog the inside running lanes and slow Stanford’s ground attack, forcing it to throw the ball. It’s not something the Cardinal like to do. They are last in the Pac-10 in pass offense.

Vince Grippi, staff writer