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1 There’s a question surrounding UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince and it’s a simple one: Will he or won’t he play? The sophomore has seemingly blossomed the past two weeks, rushing for 110 yards while directing a potent pistol offense. But in the upset of Texas last week he banged his knee and it had to be drained Sunday. The swelling continued all week, forcing him to miss practice. He’s a game-time decision. If he can’t go, sophomore Richard Brehaut is the main backup, though JC transfer Darius Bell could play as well.

2 The first thing Washington State quarterback Jeff Tuel has to do each play is identify where Akeem Ayers is lined up. The 6-foot-4, 255-pound Ayers is fast enough to drop into pass coverage but big enough to put his hand down and play defensive end. Either way, where he’s going must be accounted for, as he has two interceptions and 5.5 tackles for loss already this season. When he rushes, he’s too big to leave for a running back all that often, so an offensive lineman must slide out to pick him up.

3 The Cougars’ defense must stay angry and play that way. Following the sad performance against USC, the group was ticked off at itself. That has translated into a physical week of practice. But UCLA runs the ball even better than the Trojans, with sophomore Johnathan Franklin (414 yards) and junior Derrick Coleman (146) each averaging better than 5 yards a carry. The scheme’s the thing in this case, as the Bruins’ pistol offense has opened holes in the opposition the past two weeks. WSU must stay composed and assignment-sound if it wants to contain the UCLA running game. And, oh yeah, the Cougars have to tackle better than last week.

4 Last week Washington State surprised USC with a spread formation to open the game – and then stayed with it the entire contest. The Bruins’ defense, by all reports, is better than SC’s, and it shouldn’t be caught flat-footed by the same formation. So expect the Cougars to unleash some other shockers to keep UCLA off-balance. Will it work? This group of Bruins is talented. Besides Ayers, there’s junior free safety Rahim Moore, who led the nation last year with 10 interceptions. And, though none of the guys up front started a game at his position until this year, the front four has played well, led by senior defensive lineman David Carter.