THE LOCALS

* WASHINGTON STATE (1-0, 1-0) at No. 23 USC (0-1, 0-0)

* KICKOFF: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Fox Sports West.

* STORY LINE: USC put up a good fight against No. 5 Florida State and had an opportunity for an upset, but only a victory will be good enough against Washington State. The Cougars haven’t won at the Coliseum since 1957, and USC hasn’t started a season 0-2 since 1960.

* USC UPDATE: The first game answered the Trojans’ quarterback question but raised a tailback question after Delon Washington rushed for only 16 yards in 18 carries. Freshman Malaefou MacKenzie and sophomore Petros Papadakis are supposed to get enough carries to see if they can do any better.

* WASHINGTON STATE UPDATE: The Cougars defeated UCLA, 37-34, with a goal-line stand Aug. 30 after Bruin Coach Bob Toledo called on freshman Jermaine Lewis for the final carry instead of a tired Skip Hicks. Cougar quarterback Ryan Leaf passed for 381 yards and tailback Michael Black ran for 102.

* EDGE TO USC: The Trojan defense held Florida State to two touchdowns and with another strong performance can keep the score within the seemingly limited range of the USC offense.

* THE LINE: USC by 7.