FACTS & STATS: Site: Sun Devil Stadium (71,706) -- Tempe, Arizona. Television: None. Home Record: WSU 1-4, ASU 2-3. Away Record: WSU 0-4, ASU 1-3. Neutral Record: WSU 0-1, ASU 0-0. Conference Record: WSU 0-7, ASU 2-4. Series Record: Arizona State leads, 20-12-2.

GAME NOTES: The Washington State Cougars will try to win their first league matchup of the season when they battle the Arizona State Sun Devils in a Pac-10 showdown at Sun Devil Stadium. It has been a terrible season in Pullman, as the Cougars have lost nine of their 10 matchups on the year. WSU is currently in the midst of a six-game losing skid, and the most recent setback was a terrible 59-28 decision against Arizona. The Cougars have been horrible on the road since the 2007 season, losing nine of their last 10 matchups away from Pullman. As for the Sun Devils, they snapped a six-game losing skid this past weekend with a 39-19 victory over Washington. The Sun Devils only have three victories on the season, but two of those wins have come at Sun Devil Stadium, where the team is 23-9 since 2004. In terms of the all-time series between the two teams on the gridiron, the Sun Devils have won the last four meetings, and not own a strong 20-12-2 edge over the Cougars.

The Cougars' play offensively has been atrocious, as the team is producing just 247.0 total ypg, which has led to an equally poor 13.9 ppg. The team's effort on the ground has been laughable as the Cougars are posting just 93.8 ypg on 2.7 ypc. The passing attack has been just as bad, but that is more due to injures, as the team is working with its fourth quarterback. Kevin Lopina is currently the signal caller, but has thrown for just 569 yards, and has tossed 10 interceptions. The poor play offensively continued in the recent loss to Arizona, as the Cougars tallied just 208 total yards. WSU rushed for just 94 yards in the setback, but the team did produce four rushing TDs. Unfortunately Lopina's problems continued, as the quarterback threw for just 94 yards and two interceptions.

Sadly enough for WSU, the defense has been worse, as the Cougars are being abused for 466.5 total ypg, and that has led to a whopping 50.2 ppg. The main problem for Washington State has been its inability to stop the run, as opponents are gashing the Cougars for 279.1 rushing ypg, and out of the 65 touchdowns allowed, 48 have come via the run. Unfortunately this defense has also struggled to make big plays, forcing just 11 turnovers, while collecting a mere seven sacks. The terrible defensive play continued in the recent loss to Arizona, as the Cougars allowed 531 yards in the 31-point loss. Once again the defense was dismantled by the run, as Arizona rushed for 317 yards and seven touchdowns. Chima Nwachukwu led the way with 13 tackles in the loss, while Greg Trent added 10 stops to go along with two TFLs.

The Sun Devils have been extremely inconsistent on offense, averaging just 336.8 total ypg, and that has led to a mediocre 22.1 ppg. The majority of the team's success has come from the passing attack, which is producing 240.2 ypg. Rudy Carpenter has been mediocre at best this year, as the quarterback has thrown for 2,055 yards and 12 scores against seven interceptions. The Sun Devils put forth a strong effort in the win over Washington as the team racked up 400 yards in the 20-point victory. Carpenter threw for 218 yards and two scores in the win, and the majority of the damage was done by Michael Jones who caught both touchdown passes to go along with 11 receptions and 146 yards. Not to be overlooked was the success of the ground game, as Keegan Herring rumbled for 144 yards and one score.

The poor offensive play by ASU has overshadowed a solid effort by the defensive unit which is allowing just 3552 total ypg, and 25.8 ppg. The team is surrendering 146.3 ypg on the ground, while allowing another 208.9 ypg through the air. The team has struggled to make big plays this season, racking up just 16 turnovers, while collecting only 14 sacks. In the team's recent win over Washington, the Sun Devils put forth a strong defensive effort, limiting the Huskies to just 279 total yards. The unit did allowed 227 yards through the air, but countered that production by forcing three turnovers and collecting four sacks. Troy Nolan led the way in the win with seven tackles and one fumble recovery, while Dexter Davis tallied six stops and two sacks.

The Cougars have done nothing right this season, and while Arizona State has underachieved, expect the Sun Devils to roll right through Washington State here.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Arizona State 45, Washington State 13

Saturday, November 15th, 5:30 p.m. (et)