Teams going in opposite directions play each other Saturday with No. 8 Washington State trying to extend its five-game Pac-12 winning streak against a host Colorado team on a four-game losing streak after starting 5-0.
The Cougars (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) enter the game coming off a close call against California last week at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash. Coach Mike Leach's team beat California 19-13 on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Gardner Minshew II to Easop Winston Jr. in the last minute.
Leach believes the close game will benefit his team.
"This time of year especially, if you play a schedule like we do, where everybody's good, there's none of these breather teams that exist in some conferences," Leach said.