Four Corners: Crucial early game for Cougars

Coming up: Thursday at Arizona State, 5 p.m. (Pac-12); Saturday at Arizona, 6:30 p.m. (Pac-12)

Outlook: Washington State’s first road game of the Pac-12 season comes against a team with its back against the wall. Arizona State may be winless, but the Sun Devils are no doubt a dangerous team, and all three of their Pac-12 losses have been hard-fought against good opponents. The Cougars are in danger of falling into a hole themselves, and could use a victory over the Sun Devils to avoid a must-win situation at No. 18 Arizona on Saturday.