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1 Read your keys, get into your gaps and make tackles. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But for Washington State’s defense last season, it did little of that, resulting in 437 yards rushing for the Bruins. The rushing defense has been improved since then, what with two new coaches up front, more athleticism in the line and enhanced linebacker play. But UCLA, second in the conference in rushing behind its Pistol offense and running backs Johnathan Franklin and Derrick Coleman, will give the Cougars their sternest test.

2 Get off to a fast start and put UCLA in a hole. Another way to stifle the Bruins’ running game is to break out to a lead and force junior quarterback Richard Brehaut to pass the ball. That’s not UCLA’s strong point and plays into the strength of WSU’s defense. If the Cougars can execute their offense as well as they did their final two possessions in Colorado, this is a distinct possibility. Another outgrowth of a fast start? The Rose Bowl may just turn on the Bruins and their beleaguered coach Rick Neuheisel.

3 Cover the tight ends. The Bruins use two, starter Cory Harkey – the blocker, who has just one catch – and 6-foot-8, 252-pound Joseph Fauria – their second-leading receiver, with 12 catches for 196 yards. None of those numbers should scare anyone, but the Cougars struggled trying to account for the tight end against the one run-first team they’ve played, San Diego State. With such an emphasis on stopping UCLA’s rushing attack, the tight ends might get lost in the wash.

4 Once again, the Cougars must take care of the ball. The weekly refrain is underscored by this one statistic: In their three wins, the Cougars have turned the ball over twice, total; in their one defeat they had four turnovers. Sure, cause and effect can be argued here, but the meaning is clear. Take care of the ball and stay in the game.