UCLA @ Washington State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2011 ) Washington State 25, UCLA 28

UCLA controls its own Rose Bowl fate after hammering Arizona a week ago as running back Johnathan Franklin became the school’s all-time leading rusher in the game and freshman quarterback Brett Hundley continued to excel. Now the No. 19 Bruins must avoid a letdown Saturday at Washington State, which is winless in the Pac-12 and had its top player - wide receiver Marquess Wilson - suspended for walking out on a team workout. UCLA faces rival USC next week. Washington State on the other hand seems to be a mess and coach Mike Leach blasted his team after its most recent game, an embarrassing 49-6 loss to Utah.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: UCLA -14.5

ABOUT UCLA (7-2, 4-2 Pac-12): One of the most impressive things about UCLA’s win last week was that more than 80,000 fans packed the Rose Bowl to watch the Bruins dismantle Arizona 66-10. Crowds like that are usually reserved for games against USC but under first-year coach Jim Mora, UCLA has captured the region. The Bruins are 22nd in the nation in scoring (37.0 points per game) and a respectable 43rd in scoring defense. Game-time temperatures are forecast to be below freezing so perhaps the weather could help slow down the Bruins, who have scored 111 points in their last two games.

ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (2-7, 0-6): Wilson’s suspension couldn’t come at a worse time. The Cougars have lost six straight and the explosive junior wide receiver is by far the best skilled player on the team. Wilson leads the Cougars with 52 catches for 813 yards and five touchdowns. He caught 12 balls for 182 yards against powerhouse Oregon. Leach’s outburst after last week’s game versus Utah shows he is clearly trying to change the direction of the team. But his first year has been a nightmare. Washington State is ranked 124th in the nation in rushing at a paltry 29 yards per game and its only wins are at Nevada and a home game against Eastern Washington.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UCLA rallied for a 28-25 victory over Washington State last year at Los Angeles.

2. UCLA is 18th in the BCS standings

3. Wilson is the Pac-12’s active leading in receiving yards.

Prediction: UCLA 45, Washington State 17