First look

Time: 4 p.m. Saturday. TV: FSN

The records: WSU, 4-7; 2-6 in Pac-10; Washington, 4-7, 2-6.

Last week: WSU lost to Oregon State, 52-17; Washington defeated Cal, 37-23.

Last time: UW won 35-32 in Pullman last season.

The line: Washington by 5.5.

What it means for WSU: The answer to this question is simple: It means everything to the Cougars. A win in their rivalry game makes the winter easier. A win in the Apple Cup makes recruiting easier. A win in Seattle means bragging rights. It is WSU’s bowl game for the fourth consecutive year. For the seniors, who never had the chance to play in the postseason, it might be something even more special. They can be part of a class that defeated the Huskies three times in four years, which has only happened twice before in the 100 years of the rivalry. Plus, a win would ease athletic director Jim Sterk’s decision-making process as it relates to head coach Bill Doba and his staff.

What it means for UW: The answer is almost exactly the same: It means just about everything. The Huskies’ play has improved lately – they have won two of their last three games – and they still have a shot at a near-.500 record (UW ends its season the following Saturday in Hawaii). Still there won’t be a bowl game; the winter would be longer with a loss; recruiting would be tougher; and there’s the matter of losing three of four to the Cougars.

Key matchup: WSU quarterback Alex Brink vs. UW strong safety Mesphin Forrester.

Forrester leads the secondary for Washington’s defense, a group that is ninth in the Pac-10 in yards allowed. The Cougars will look to draw the strong safety near the line – he is second on the Husky defense with 84 tackles – and then throw over the top. If they can draw Forrester out of pass protection, where he leads UW with two interceptions, the WSU receivers should have a field day. Brink is coming off his poorest game as a Cougar, but has a track record of bouncing back this season.

Vince Grippi