UNLV @ Washington State preview

THE STORY: Washington State coach Paul Wulff and UNLV’s Bobby Hauck faced each other five times when Wulff was at Eastern Washington and Hauck was at Montana. But now, both coaches are at a pair of FBS schools that have fallen on hard times. Hauck defeated Wulff in four previous meetings but hasn’t won a road game since taking over at UNLV in 2010. The Rebels were blown out 51-17 at Wisconsin last week, while Washington State topped the 60-point mark for the first time since 1997 in a 64-21 victory over Idaho State. UNLV is 2-10 all-time on the road against BCS teams.

TV: None. LINE: Washington State -13.5

ABOUT UNLV (0-1): Caleb Herring became the seventh opening-day starting quarterback in the last eight years for the Rebels. Herring, who beat out Sean Reilly for the starting job in the off-season, was efficient, but didn’t lead the Rebels to their first touchdown until late in the third quarter. UNLV played without a pair of wide receivers - Marcus Sullivan and Eric Johnson - because of academic reasons. It hasn't been announced publicly whether they will play against Washington State.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (1-0): Marshall Lobbestael, an emergency replacement at quarterback after starter Jeff Tuel couldn’t go with a stomach virus, threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns against Idaho State. Tuel got in the game later and broke his collarbone, which means Lobbestael is the starter for the next 6-to-8 weeks. Washington State hasn’t won back-to-back games since San Diego State and Idaho in the second and third games of 2007.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington State is 4-0 all-time against UNLV and has won by an average of 21 points. The last meeting was in 1991.

2. The Cougars are 15-3 all-time against current members of the Mountain West Conference.

3. UNLV gave up 40 or more points for the ninth time in its last 14 games against Wisconsin.

PREDICTION: Washington State 35, UNLV 24 - Hauck got the better of Wulff when the two were coaching FCS schools, but Wulff, who has the more talented team, should get the win this time around.