Keith Price vs. Marshall Lobbestael

Washington quarterback Keith Price and Washington State quarterback Marshall Lobbestael won't be on the field at the same time. But it's hard to ignore the impact of the starting quarterbacks, each ranked among the top seven in the Pac-12 despite taking different paths to get there.

Price, a sophomore, won a battle with Nick Montana in the spring to replace Jake Locker, and was an early-season sensation in college football when he threw 21 touchdown passes in the first six games. His pace has slowed but at 26 he is just two off the school season record set by Cody Pickett in 2002. And he returns to the starting lineup this week after sitting out all but two series last week with an injury.

Lobbestael, a fifth-year senior from Oak Harbor, has ascended to the WSU starting job three different times due to injuries to Jeff Tuel and Connor Halliday. Halliday suffered a lacerated liver last week against Utah. The 6-3, 209-pounder has completed 179 of 299 for 2,240 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

"I think when you look at Washington State this year, arguably the best football they've played this year is with Lobbestael at quarterback," UW coach Steve Sarkisian said. "Their schemes aren't going to change; it's the guy throwing the ball ... Marshall has really had a tremendous season."

As for Price, Sarkisian said the week off last week helped.

"He really looks good — the bounce and spring in his step," he said. "It's an easy thing to drop back and throw the ball when nobody's around you. It's your ability to make the sudden movements and move when ... a defensive end is up the field rushing. And that was the biggest concern. For the last three days, he's looked really good."

Bob Condotta