First look: WSU vs. Rutgers

Time: 7 p.m., CenturyLink, Seattle

Records: WSU (6-7, 4-5 Pac-12

in 2013); Rutgers (6-7, 3-5 in AAC)

• Inside: Running back position preview concludes series /C5

What it means for WSU

A big win in the season opener would show that the improvement at the end of 2013 was for real, and the catastrophic finish in the New Mexico Bowl was inconsequential to the Cougars’ long-term goals. From top to bottom the Pac-12 is arguably the toughest conference in the country this season, and if the Cougars drop a winnable game against Rutgers they will have to make it up against a tougher foe down the road.

What it means for Rutgers

Not much is expected of the Scarlet Knights in their inaugural Big Ten season with many analysts projecting Rutgers to get one conference win, if any. But this team should be an improvement over last year’s young bunch, and with highly-respected coach Ralph Friedgen at offensive coordinator, Rutgers may be capable of a surprise. Beating WSU in Seattle would be a big step toward proving the doubters wrong.

Key matchup

Cougars QB Connor Halliday vs. Rutgers defense. Pass defense was Rutgers’ Achilles’ heel a season ago and the early indications are that it will again be the biggest weakness for the Scarlet Knights. Early injuries have decimated what was already a struggling unit, so much so that the team moved running back Justin Goodwin to cornerback even though he was Rutgers’ second-leading rusher last season.

The Scarlet Knights gave up more than 4,000 passing yards last season, and they could be well on pace to beating that figure after the season opener if Halliday’s command of Washington State’s Air Raid offense really has improved.