Scouting Report: WSU At Cal

2:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, Calif.

Offense

Washington State: Look for wide receiver Milton Wynn to continue his dominance of the secondary. While Cal has a good front four, it has an average and young secondary. Quarterback Jason Gesser’s scrambling ability should also come in handy. The Bears had trouble containing Utah quarterback Darnell Arceneaux, a Gesser clone. Cal coach Tom Holmoe said Gesser is a much smarter and better QB than Arceneaux. The loss of running back Deon Burnett will hurt the Cougars, but David Minnich is the better runner right now and needed to get the ball more.

Cal: The Bears are going to run the ball as much as possible. And if the Cougar defense plays like it did against Idaho, tailback Joe Igber could have 200 yards on the ground. Cal is big across the front line, averaging 6 feet, 5 inches and 305 pounds, and gets a good push. The Bears have had to rely on two freshmen wide receivers and a sophomore quarterback. That is what is causing the offense to stall. Quarterback Kyle Boller is not very mobile and can be confused by an outside rush.

Advantage: Washington State

Defense

Washington State: The Cougars have practiced all week on being more disciplined and tougher throughout their front seven. But a week is not enough time to turn a team around. The defense should make some improvements this week and gain a modicum of confidence because Cal’s offense is so inept. The Cougars will try to stack the box more to stop the run. Cornerbacks Chris Martin and Marcus Trufant are good enough to handle the outside on their own.

Cal: Fresno State neutralized All-America candidate DE Andre Carter with double-teams and solid line play. Washington State doesn’t have that ability. Carter will be putting the pressure on Gesser all day. The linebackers are young and not as good as they were last year. Misdirections, fakes and draw plays should work against this younger group. Cal’s defense is tough early. It has allowed a total of seven points in the first half. But thanks to a lack of depth, it tends to wear down in the second half.

Advantage: Cal

Special teams

Washington State: In a case of adding injury to insult, erratic kicker Nick Lambert is now hurt. So in steps Anousith Wilaikul, the player Lambert beat out this fall. Wilaikul has no game experience and has a weaker leg than Lambert. Kickoff coverage has been a point of emphasis for the Cougars this week and should be improved despite the shorter kickoffs. Chris Martin will replace Billy Newman, who has a tender hamstring, on kickoff returns.

Cal: The Bears have the best punter in the nation in Nick Harris. Ten of his 24 punts have been downed inside the 10. Nine returns have gone for a total of 24 yards. Cal’s field-goal kicking is terrible. The Golden Bears have missed 2 of 5 field goal attempts, and Cal coach Tom Holmoe has no faith in Mark Jensen.

Advantage: Cal

Final score: Cal 6, WSU 3