Idaho @ Washington State preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2007 ) Idaho 28, Washington State 45

Washington State continues its homestand with a non-conference matchup with neighboring Idaho on Saturday night. The Cougars have defeated the Vandals seven straight times and scored at least 25 points the past eight times they've met. Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday is tied for eighth in the NCAA in passing yards with 942.

The Vandals' last win in the series came in 2000 in Pullman, but a victory Saturday is highly unlikely. Idaho has surrendered at least 40 points in all three games this season and ranks 119th out of 123 FBS teams in total defense. A heavy underdog, it appears first-year coach Paul Petrino will have to wait for his first victory.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network. LINE: Washington State -31.5.

ABOUT IDAHO (0-3): The Vandals have lost 17 of their last 18 games as a porous defense continues to haunt them. Idaho has allowed an average of 554.3 yards, which spells trouble against the high-octane Cougars. The Vandals were gritty last week but surrendered the game's final 10 points in a 45-35 home loss to Northern Illinois.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (2-1): The Cougars already have a signature win, stunning USC 10-7 in its Pac-12 opener two weeks ago. Coach Mike Leach got his air-raid offense on track last week as Halliday threw for 383 yards and five touchdowns in a 48-10 victory over Southern Utah. If the Cougars can avoid looking forward to next week's big game with No. 5 Stanford, you can expect more of the same firepower here.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cougars have held opponents to less than 225 total yards in back-to-back weeks for the first time since 1999.

2. Idaho's eight fumbles lost leads the nation.

3. The schools are located 8 miles apart.

PREDICTION: Washington State 55, Idaho 17