First look

Time: 3:30 p.m. Saturday. TV: FSN

The records: WSU (0-1, 0-0 in Pac-10); California (1-0; 0-0)

Last week: Cal defeated Michigan State, 38-31; WSU lost to Oklahoma State, 39-13.

Last time: Cal won 20-17 in Berkeley last season.

The line: Cal by 131/2.

What it means for WSU

The Cougars must improve their execution in every aspect of the game, from the passing attack to punt coverage. Coach Paul Wulff, who will be running on the Martin Stadium turf for a game for the first time since playing for WSU in 1989, said he believes there are problem areas the Cougars can clean up this week. For the Cougars to compete with Cal, they’ll have to gain more than the 196 yards of total offense they had vs. OSU – and they’ll have to yield less, a lot less, return yardage than the 252 they gave up to the Cowboys.

What it means for Cal

The Bears think they can compete for the Pac-10 title, a goal they seemed to have in their grasp last year until a late-season meltdown. A win away from ascending to the No. 1 ranking in the nation, Cal lost to Oregon State at home, then lost five of its next six to end the regular season. The Bears’ only win in that stretch came against WSU, 20-17, but it took converting 12 of 19 third downs to subdue the Cougars. A loss in Pullman would re-awaken those end-of-the-season doubts that nearly emerged last week, when the Bears allowed Michigan State to score 17 fourth-quarter points.

Key matchup

Cal running backs Jahvid Best and Shane Vereen vs. WSU linebacker Greg Trent.

The Bears’ traditionally potent wide receiver group struggled against Michigan State, with only Sean Young catching more than one pass from starter Kevin Riley and this year’s backup, Nate Longshore. But Cal still scored 38 points, thanks in large part to Best, who rushed for a career-high 111 yards on a career-high 24 carries, and Vereen, whose 81-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run clinched the victory. Not only did they both gain more than 100 yards rushing, they combined to catch nine passes for 79 yards. Into the breach created by Cal’s offensive line will be Trent, WSU’s leading tackler against Oklahoma State. The senior middle backer is also the emotional leader of a WSU defense that played aggressively in the opener. For the Cougars to have a shot, they’ll have to slow down the Cal rushing attack.

Vince Grippi, Staff writer