Well, this is the week for the Washington State Cougars — either the week they win their only game of the season, or the week that Paul Wulff’s job security plummets to Tyrone Willingham-esque levels.

It’s bad enough that the Cougars haven’t put together anything resembling a competitive game since beating the Huskies in the Apple Cup last season. But with the announcement this week that true freshman quarterback Jeff Tuel will be seeing playing time against SMU on Saturday, it’s obvious that Wulff is starting to feel the pressure to do something — anything — to make WSU worth watching in year two of his tenure.

Here’s one guess that we’ll be watching someone else coach them next season. Though Husky fans wouldn’t object to Wulff signing a lifetime contract.

BLOUNT OBJECTS

You had to know it wouldn’t be long before Oregon added suspended tailback LeGarrette Blount to its practice squad — he took on that role earlier this week, though the Eugene Register Guard noted on Wednesday that he left practice after 25 minutes — since the Ducks said they’d let him practice and do all the things that he would normally do.

Is there anyone else who thinks we haven’t seen the last of Mr. Blount this season? The senior was suspended for the remainder of this year after punching Boise State’s Byron Hout in the jaw following Oregon’s 19-8 loss to the Broncos in Week 1.

That’s understandable. It was stupid. But it was also a quick, reactionary decision by first-year head coach Chip Kelly, who no doubt was looking to put a quick end to the negative publicity the punch brought about.

Now that things have died down a little bit? Let’s just say it wouldn’t be a real shocker to see Blount back on the field before the season ends, assuming he sticks it out and continues coming to practice.

ODDS AND ENDS

Richard Brehaut is the favorite to start in place of the injured Kevin Prince at quarterback for UCLA against Kansas State on Saturday, the Los Angeles Times is reporting. Kevin Craft is also an option. The Bruins really need to get Craft on the field if he has any hope of topping his school-record 20 interceptions he threw last season. … Oregon State tailback Jacquizz Rodgers has been resting a sore ankle this week, The Oregonian reports. He’s expected to be ready to go when the Beavers take on No. 17 Cincinnati on Saturday. …How bad have things gotten for WSU? One of its best receivers, Jeshua Anderson, left the team this week to focus on running track. Track! Apparently running around in circles is a more attractive option than having opposing teams running circles around you.

PREDICTION TIME

USC 38, Washington 24: It’ll be tough for the Huskies to match the energy they brought in the opener against LSU, but even if they do, it might not be enough to slow down the Trojans. Expect a competitive game, though.

Utah 28, Oregon 13: Not the best Utes team, but the same can be said for the Ducks. They didn’t look real great against Purdue, either. Utah extends its 16-game winning streak.

Cincinnati 31, Oregon State 20: Somewhat of a statement game for the Beavers. They’re hoping that statement is, “We’re still good.”

SMU 21, Washington State 3: Treat this game like a long flight: pop a valium, fall asleep and check the score when it’s over. That’s how Cougar players have been treating games for the past couple seasons, anyway.

California 42, Minnesota 20: A nice road test for the Bears before conference play starts. They’re too talented to fail this one.

Iowa 21, Arizona 20: The first indication that the Wildcats aren’t going to be that good this year.

Arizona State 35, Louisiana-Monroe 10: Yawn.

UCLA 31, Kansas State 7: Lucky for the Bruins, they get an easy one in their first game without Prince at quarterback.

Stanford 35, San Jose St. 17: Should be a relatively easy win for the Cardinal, but the Spartans gave Utah a game last week and have given Stanford trouble recently.

Reach sports editor Christian Caple at sports@daiyuw.com.