Scouting Report: WSU At Utah

5 p.m., Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City.

Offense

Washington State: Look for the Cougars to go over the middle with short passes. Collin Henderson will be the main focus in this game. Curtis Nettles could also be featured early. But if he drops a ball, it’s doubtful QB Jason Gesser will go back to him.

Washington State will also try and establish a running game early. That could mean getting the ball to David Minnich and letting the 26-year-old ex-Marine run it right up the gut. Minnich, unlike Deon Burnett, is not afraid of being hit and featuring him early may inspire Burnett to run harder.

Utah: The Utah offense should get a shot in the arm with quarterback Darnell Arceneaux starting. Arceneaux ripped up Washington State last year with his scrambling ability. He also hit 22 of 36 passes for 249 yards. Ron McBride had started T.D. Croshaw in the two previous Utah games. Croshaw is a dropback passer and does more of what McBride wants. But the simple fact is he has not been able to put he ball into the end zone. Clifford Russell and Steve Smith are two of the fastest receivers the Cougars will face this season. Utah’s running game is suspect.

Advantage: Utah

Defense

Washington State: The main focus this week has been containment and wrapping up. It was obvious during the Stanford game that the Cougars were not skilled in bringing down a player when they wrapped him up. If that happens against Utah, the Cougars don’t have a chance. Arceneaux’s elusiveness is much like Washington’s Marques Tuiasosopo. The blitz will not be prominently featured against Utah like it was against Stanford. And that should prevent WSU from getting burned on short screens. Cornerbacks Chris Martin and Marcus Trufant will have their hands full on the outside. And they won’t be getting much help from free safety Mory Banks, who is still learning his position and does not comfortable.

Utah: The Utes’ defense is a step above Stanford’s. Which could mean trouble since the Cougars failed to score an offensive touchdown against the Cardinal. Kautai Olevao is one of the best unknown linebackers in the country.

The Utes rely on their front four to get enough of a push to disrupt the quarterback. The secondary is led by brothers Andre and Pat Dyson. “They could be one of the best secondaries we face this year,” said Gesser.

Advantage: Utah

Special teams

Washington State: Punter Alan Cox struggled in his first game. Kicker Nick Lambert went 1 for 2 on field goals. (His miss was from 52 yards). And neither looked much better during practice. In fact Lambert, although not on the injury report, was wearing a wrap on his leg and limping.

The Cougars did not have any problem with kickoff coverage or punt coverage. They also excelled when the punt block formation was called. For the second time in seven games, the Cougars blocked a punt.

Utah: Punt returner Steve Smith had three punt returns for 57 yards and a touchdown against Cal last week. And that was a bad day for the reigning Mountain West Player of the Year. The Cougars have been working on punt coverage and kicking the ball out of bounds all week.

Utah kicker Golden Whetman is not good. He has started the year 1 for 5. This after being 4 of 7 last season.

Advantage: Utah

Final score

Utah 28, WSU 24

WSU schedule

Sept. 2 Stanford L 24-10

Sept. 16 at Utah 5 p.m.

Sept. 23 Idaho 2 p.m.

Sept. 30 at Cal 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 7 Boise St. 2 p.m.

Oct. 14 at Arizona 7 p.m.

Oct. 21 Arizona St. 2 p.m.

Oct. 28 at Oregon St. 1 p.m.

Nov. 4 Oregon 2 p.m.

Nov. 11 at USC 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 18 Washington 2 p.m.

Utah schedule

Sept. 1 Arizona L 17-3

Sept. 9 at California. L 24-21

Sept. 16 WSU 5 p.m.

Sept. 23 Air Force 4 p.m.

Sept. 30 at Utah State 2 p.m.

Oct. 14 San Diego St. TBA

Oct. 21 Colorado St. 4 p.m.

Oct. 28 at New Mexico 3:30 p.m.

Nov. 4 UNLV TBA

Nov. 11 at Wyoming TBA

Nov. 24 Brigham Young 3 p.m.

* - All times Pacific

Today’s Pac-10 schedule

Washington (2-0) at Colorado (0-2)

Idaho (0-2) at Oregon (1-1)

San Diego St. (0-2) at Arizona (1-1)

Colorado St. (2-0) at Arizona St. (1-0)

Texas (1-0) at Stanford (1-1)

California (1-0) at Illinois (2-0)

Michigan (2-0) at UCLA (2-0)