06:08 PM PDT on Tuesday, October 26, 2004

By JOHN K. WILEY, Associated Press Writer

PULLMAN, Wash. -- This is the week Washington State coach Bill Doba becomes a gambler.

AP

Washington State quarterback Alex Brink, left, tries to evade the tackle of Oregon State's Joe Lemma (27).

When top-ranked Southern California (7-0, 4-0 Pac-10) visits Martin Stadium on Saturday, it will be the first time a No. 1-ranked team has ever played in Pullman.

Doba, whose team has lost three straight, knows the tried-and-true offensive and defensive schemes won't work against the Trojans.

"I think you've got to look at this as an opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the nation," Doba said Tuesday by conference call from Pullman. "It's not like we're 6-0 and they're going to destroy our season. So we can try some things we've always wanted to try. You don't want to change too much, but I think this is the week you gamble."

Oddsmakers have made USC a 24-point favorite.

The Cougars (3-4, 1-3) have been unable to match the offensive strengths that helped them beat the Trojans in overtime in 2002, the last time USC played in Pullman.

This year, the Trojans have given up just nine touchdowns, allowing an average of 10.7 points and 270 yards a game, while scoring 36 points per game.

Doba said he's staying positive this week in practices, reminding his players of Mississippi State's upset of Florida last weekend and pulling out his book of trick plays.

"I think we have to do something," he said. "If we say we're going to run our one back-zone play and kick their butts, the kids will just look at us. They know better than that."

The Cougars thought defense would be a strength this season, but have given up 18 touchdowns and 364 yards a game.

Quarterback Alex Brink, a freshman who made his first start last week in a 38-19 loss at Oregon State, played well but needs experience and better performances by receivers, Doba said. WSU has averaged just over 25 points per game.

Trojans sophomore tailback Reggie Bush will present special problems for the entire defense, Doba said.

For WSU to pull off what would be the biggest upset in its history, USC would have to cooperate, the coach said.

"Quite honestly, I think SC would have to help us. They'd have to fumble the ball a couple of times, or throw it to us," Doba said.

"They're on a roll and they're doing things well and they've got good talent. They do a good job coaching those kids and getting mismatches for that Bush kid," he said. "They keep you up at night, I'll put it that way."

Asked if there is a theme for this week's game, Doba put on his poker face.

"Everything to gain and nothing to lose," he said. "It's a chance to kind of let it go — try things that maybe you haven't tried before and were afraid to try, and have thought about and haven't done."