College football preview: WSU at Notre Dame
Washington State (1-6) vs. Notre Dame (5-2)
When: 6:30 p.m. at Alamodome in San Antonio
TV: Channel 5; Radio: WLS 890-AM
Series: Notre Dame leads 1-0
Coaches: Paul Wulff (3-16, second year at WSU; 56-57 overall); Charlie Weis (34-23, fifth year at Notre Dame)
Players to watch: According to magazine maven Phil Steele, Washington State's only player worthy of his midseason all-Pac-10 list was punter Reid Forrest (43.8 yard average). True freshman QB John Tuel has started the last three games and completed 40 of 66 passes for 532 yards, 4 TDs and 2 INTs. True freshman WR Gino Simone is the top target with 23 catches for 243 yards.
Notre Dame junior QB Jimmy Clausen, who knows a little something about starting as a true freshman, remains No. 2 in the national passer efficiency ratings (161.3) as he has clicked on 65 percent of his throws for 2,050 yards, 16 TDs and just 2 INT. Golden Tate, who ranks 10th nationally in catches (52) and fourth in yardage (847), is on pace to shatter Jeff Samardzija's single-season records for catches (78) and yards (1,249). RT Sam Young will make his 46th consecutive start.
The skinny: Washington State ranks last in the Pac-10 in every defensive category and almost every offensive statistic. The Cougars' lone wins in their last 18 games have been overtime affairs with SMU and Washington. In other words, don't expect the usual last-second excitement from this Notre Dame game. The Irish's last six outings have been decided by 4, 3, 3, 7 (in OT), 7 and 4 points. If you're a Notre Dame hater trying to find a factoid to jumpstart your heart, try this one: The Irish are 1-6 all-time when playing indoors.
- Lindsey Willhite