First look: WSU at UCLA

Time: 4 p.m. Saturday TV: ABC

The records: WSU (5-3, 3-2 Pac-10); UCLA (4-3, 2-2 Pac-10).

Last week: WSU defeated Oregon 34-23 at home; UCLA lost at Notre Dame 20-17.

Last time: UCLA visited Pullman last October and stormed back from a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the game at 38 with 44 seconds left and send the game to overtime, where a Maurice Drew touchdown plunge gave the Bruins a 44-41 victory. Jerome Harrison ran for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Cougars, but his big day was overshadowed by the comeback and UCLA quarterback Drew Olsen’s 338 passing yards and five touchdowns.

The line: Pick ‘em

What it means for WSU: The Cougars are riding high after their upset of then-No. 16 Oregon on Saturday and could establish themselves as a legitimate threat to finish third in the Pac-10 with a third conference road win this weekend. The victory against the Ducks got WSU some national attention for the first time this season; another win now would probably push the Cougars that much closer to – with a slight chance of cracking into – the top 25 in the polls. It’s also the first test of how WSU deals with success, always a hurdle as a team deals with rising expectations within a season.

What it means for UCLA: The Bruins nearly scored a major win of their own on the road against Notre Dame, but some late-game mistakes led to a loss that felt a lot like some of UCLA’s victories from a season ago. Still, the Bruins have a chance to remain up near the top of the Pac-10 with a win in this game. The Bruins are 4-0 at home this season so they should be comfortable in front of the Rose Bowl crowd, although a letdown is a possibility after the tough loss last week.

Key matchup: Charles Harris vs. Justin Hickman

Hickman took the top spot on the Pac-10 quarterback sacks list from WSU’s Mkristo Bruce last week, and he’ll try to extend that lead going up against WSU’s senior right tackle, Harris, a player who has been the steady force on the Cougar offensive line. Both of these players have a wealth of experience, and Cougar quarterback Alex Brink has proven he can be effective with time to throw. It’ll be Harris’ job to keep Hickman from disrupting that offensive rhythm.

Injury update: Washington State is in some trouble on the defensive line as both starting tackles, Ropati Pitoitua (knee) and Aaron Johnson (elbow), are out for at least two weeks, probably more. Right guard Andy Roof (heel, ankle) is in the same boat as well on offense, and those injuries will force a number of less experienced players into the lineup this week. Cornerback Tyron Brackenridge, whose interception return for a touchdown helped seal the win over Oregon, is questionable with a hamstring injury.

Glenn Kasses