Utah at Washington State

When/Where: 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Martin Stadium, Pullman

TV: Pac-12 Networks

Records: WSU (5-5, 3-4 in Pac-12); Utah (4-6, 1-6 in Pac-12)

Last time: Utah defeated WSU 49-6 in Pullman (2012)

The line: No line (Utah QB Wilson)

What it means for WSU: Where to begin? A Cougars victory would make WSU bowl-eligible for the first time since 2006, with the chance to go to the school’s first bowl game since 2003. Such an accomplishment would provide long-term benefits for the Cougars by providing additional practices, national exposure to recruits and credibility.

What it means for Utah: The Utes have yet to win a Pac-12 game on the road. In fact, they only have a single conference win, albeit against the powerful Stanford Cardinal. Utah has come close against good teams like Oregon State and Arizona State, but couldn’t finish. If the Utes can beat WSU and Colorado to finish the year they would be eligible for a bowl game.

Key matchup: Adam Schulz vs. WSU defense

Sophomore quarterback Adam Schulz will be making the second start of his career when he faces the Cougars, starting in place of the injured Travis Wilson. Against Oregon last week, Schulz completed less than 50 percent of his passes, but was able to find some success moving the ball up and down the field. The Utes, 9 of 18 on third down, face a WSU defense that is fourth in the conference in third-down defense, allowing a conversion just 35 percent of the time. Whether Schulz plays like an inexperienced QB or a capable replacement should go a long way toward determining who wins.

Jacob Thorpe