Idaho At WSU

2 p.m., Martin Stadium, Pullman.

Offense

Washington State: The up-and-down offense of Washington State should have its hands full with the blitzing defense of Idaho this week. Look for the Cougars to make adjustments and checks at the line to avoid big losses. The running game could be slow at first but should produce some big runs against the Idaho defense. As for the passing game, WSU has the edge on Idaho’s corners, but quarterback Jason Gesser may not have time to find the receivers.

Idaho: The Vandals have proven they have the ability to score. Against Washington, they had 20 points and could’ve had more if not for turnovers. They rolled up 38 points against Montana. And WSU coach Mike Price knows the Vandals will make it into the end zone a time or two. QB John Welsh has a 63 percent completion rate and can pick apart a defense if allowed to sit in the pocket.

Advantage: Washington State

Defense

Washington State: Despite giving up only 14 points to Utah (the other seven was courtesy a David Minnich fumble) the Cougars defense does have some holes. Utah was able to gain 418 yards on WSU, 282 of those through the air. Though Idaho’s receivers are not as talented as Utah’s, WSU needs to do a better job of covering the deep routes. The Cougars should use a controlled blitz to keep the Vandals off balance.

Idaho: In the past two weeks, the Vandals blitzed and got burned. Montana torched them for 45. Oregon for 42. Now while that may not have worked against those two teams, it could rattle the Cougars. Last week against Utah when the Cougars had their best passing game since 1997, the Utes blitzed fewer than 10 times. So Gesser was able to take his time and throw. Idaho probably will not allow Gesser that much time. Wil Beck (6-2, 310) will be the best defensive tackle on the field and could victimize the young offensive line of the Cougars. Linebacker Chris Nofoaiga (21 tackles) should also present problems for the Cougars. But the bottom line is the Vandals are giving up 492 yards per game, 43.7 points per game and their two leading tacklers are the strong safety and free safety.

Advantage: Washington State

Special teams

Washington State: Kicker Nick Lambert has been steady for the Cougars when called on for field goals, but was not effective in getting touchbacks on kickoffs last week. That shouldn’t hurt the Cougars against the Vandals. Punter Alan Cox has rebounded from a bad first week against Stanford and should help the Cougars win the field position battle.

Idaho: Special teams has been the downfall of the Vandals. Cleavon Bradshaw has been abysmal on punt returns, fumbling two and averaging 1.7 yards a return. Idaho is averaging 16.6 yards per kickoff return, 110th in the nation.

Field-goal kicker Ben Davis has shown that he has a strong leg, but he’s had only one attempt, a successful 50-yarder.

Advantage: Washington State

Score

Washington State 35, Idaho 21