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1 Force turnovers. The Bears can be sloppy with the football. When they are, they are less than average. Quarterback Zach Maynard, the transfer from Buffalo, threw four interceptions last week in a 31-14 loss at UCLA. With 10 interceptions in 281 attempts, there’s a good chance he’ll throw one or two passes up for grabs. The Cougars’ secondary, led by Damante Horton (four) and Deone Bucannon (three), have been pretty good stealing passes lately. It needs to continue.

2 Limit Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones. California’s two high-profile – and, according to WSU coach Paul Wulff, NFL-bound – receivers have combined for 108 catches for 1,599 yards and eight touchdowns. That is 71 percent of Cal’s passing yardage. In contrast, Marquess Wilson and Isiah Barton, WSU’s top two receivers, have accounted for 53.6 percent of the Cougars’ yardage. Slow Allen and Jones and you slow the Bears’ passing game.

3 Run the ball effectively. The Cougars have been up and down in the run game this season, but they need to be up today – if only to take the pressure off quarterback Marshall Lobbestael. Though the Cougars only average 3.6 yards per rush, the Bears yield almost 4 yards per try. If Berkeley native Rickey Galvin, Carl Winston and Logwone Mitz can find running room in the early downs, Lobbestael should find the time to throw. If it’s always third-and-long, expect Cal to add to its 22 sacks.

4 Finish drives. This statistic might surprise you. The Cougars have scored touchdowns in 60 percent of their trips into the red zone; the Bears on just 57 percent. But lately WSU has struggled and in its last two close losses, at UCLA and Oregon, the mistakes inside the 20 have really hurt. Against the Bruins, the Cougars settled for field goals; against the Ducks it was turnovers. By being efficient today, WSU can greatly increase its chance of pulling an upset.