Primetime College Football: Cougars vs Irish

TALENT

Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis team will try to inch closer to a possible BCS bowl bid when it faces lowly Washington State at the Alamodome here in San Antonio. Notre Dame’s last six games were decided by a touchdown or less, having earned its fourth win in that stretch by beating Boston College 20-16 at home.

The Irish (5-2) needed Jimmy Clausen’s go-ahead 36-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate, then a pair of interceptions in the closing minutes to seal the victory. Their previous three victories over Michigan State, Purdue and Washington were all decided by late go-ahead touchdowns, but Notre Dame came up short on a late goal-to-go situation in a 34-27 loss to Southern California on Oct. 17.

They’d certainly be disappointed with anything but a lopsided win over Washington State, which is 3-17 since the beginning of last season. The Cougars’ porous defense has allowed an average of 41.5 points in that stretch.

Washington State gave up three first-quarter touchdown passes to California’s Kevin Riley in last Saturday’s 49-17 loss, meaning Clausen should have plenty of opportunities this week. The junior is one of 13 players nationally with more than 2,000 passing yards, and he has thrown 16 touchdown passes including eight to Tate compared to two interceptions.

The bigger concern for the Irish is a defense that has allowed more than 400 yards per game. BC had 349, but Notre Dame forced five turnovers and held its opponent under 20 points for the first time since a season-opening 35-0 win over Nevada.

The emerging presence of freshman linebacker Manti Te’o has helped and has averaged a team-best nine tackles since his first start three games ago.

Washington State (1-6) may help with Notre Dame’s defensive issues. With an average of 72.6 rushing yards, the Cougars’ ground game ranks 116th out of 120 Bowl Subdivision teams.

The last two weeks, Washington State coach Paul Wulff Cougars have combined for one rushing yard, although freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel had his best statistical game of the season against Cal, going 28 for 42 for 354 yards and two touchdowns without an interception.

The Cougars continued to have problems with protection, however, as Tuel was sacked five times. They gave up 12 sacks in a 27-14 home loss to Arizona State on Oct. 10.

The Irish, who are 14-0 all-time on Halloween, beat Washington State 29-26 in overtime at Notre Dame Stadium in the teams’ only previous meeting Sept. 6, 2003.

PICK: University of Notre Dame