Arizona State @ Washington State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2010 ) Washington State 0, Arizona State 42

THE STORY: Two coaches on the hot seat meet Saturday when Arizona State visits Washington State with both teams coming off tough losses. Washington State has lost five in a row and coach Paul Wolff is 8-38 in his fourth year. Sun Devils coach Dennis Erickson likely needs to win his final three regular season games to secure a contract extension. Erickson took plenty of heat this week after he took responsibility for poor clock management in a loss to UCLA last week.

TV: Versus. LINE: Arizona State -11.5.

ABOUT ARIZONA STATE (6-3, 4-2 Pac-12 South): Cameron Marshall rushed for a career-high 168 yards on 27 carries in last week’s 28-27 loss to the Bruins. He leads the Pac-12 with 13 rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Brock Osweiler has thrown for 1,187 yards with nine touchdown passes and two interceptions over the last four games. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict has fallen short of some lofty expectations this season, but still has 51 tackles and five sacks, along with an interception and four passes defended.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (3-6, 1-5 Pac-12 North): Wide receiver Marquess Wilson ranks 12th nationally with 108.2 receiving yards per game. He needs 26 yards to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. Quarterback Marshall Lobbestael has struggled of late after a promising start this season. Wulff said redshirt freshman Connor Halliday might see the field if Lobbestael isn’t productive soon. The Cougars rank second in the Pac-12 in passing yards, but the Sun Devils lead the Pac-12 with 13 interceptions. Washington State had only 69 yards on 35 rushes last week at California.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Sun Devils senior defensive tackle Bo Moos is the son of Washington State Athletic Director Bill Moos.

2. Arizona State leads the series 23-12-2 and has won seven straight.

3. Former Washington State star Steve Gleason, who played eight years in the NFL, will serve as an honorary captain. Gleason has been diagnosed with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

PREDICTION: Arizona State 27, Washington State 17 - The Cougars appeared uninspired last week against California, while the Sun Devils need a win to remain in the Pac-12 South race.