USC VS. WASHINGTON STATE

* Time: 7:15 p.m.

* Site: Martin Stadium, Pullman, Wash.

* Records: USC 4-2, Washington State 3-3

* TV: Fox Sports West

* Radio: XTRA (690)

THE OFFENSES

* USC moves the ball only in fits and starts. But the anticipated return of tailback Chad Morton after sitting out two games because of a bruised back should help, and Petros Papadakis has emerged as an option. Lost in last week’s disaster was quarterback Mike Van Raaphorst’s career-high 203 yards passing--although he was 0 for 3 when it counted most at the end. Washington State is changing starting quarterbacks this week, going with sophomore Paul Mencke instead of Steve Birnbaum. The Cougars play the same wide-open, one-back offense they ran last season, but it’s not the same without Ryan Leaf.

THE DEFENSES

* The biggest mystery of USC’s loss last week isn’t what Larry Parker was thinking on that penalty, but what happened to USC’s defense. Linebacker Chris Claiborne attributed it to mental breakdowns, but a unit that had held opponents to 13 fourth-quarter points gave up two fourth-quarter touchdowns and couldn’t keep Cal from getting a first down at the end so the offense could get one more chance to score. As for Washington State’s defense, it’s true the Cougars have played two powerful offenses in UCLA and Oregon, but 29 points a game, and 100 combined to the Bruins and Ducks?

* Key to the game: Forget the matchups, this is a gut-check game. USC has the advantage as long as the Trojans can overcome the effects of last week’s collapse as well as the conditions--playing in the cold and on artificial turf for the first time this season.

* Fast fact: Washington State hasn’t been shut out since 1984, in a 44-0 loss to Ohio State. The streak covers 161 games.

* Line: USC by 9.