Costello’s improved practices put him at center stage for Stanford

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After his Philadelphia 76ers lost to Boston in the 2002 NBA playoffs, coach Larry Brown knocked Allen Iverson for missing practices. The All-Star guard launched into a famous rant about the relative meaninglessness of practice.

“We’re sitting here, I’m supposed to be the franchise player, and we’re in here talking about practice,” he said. He used the word 22 times, each time spitting it out derisively.

Iverson was great, but he clearly wasn’t David Shaw’s kind of guy. Practice is apparently the reason Stanford quarterback K.J. Costello didn’t start last week against Oregon State and certainly the reason he will start Saturday at Washington State.

In announcing that he’s going with the redshirt freshman when the No. 18 Cardinal (6-2, 5-1 Pac-12) play the No. 25 Cougars (7-2, 4-2), the head coach cited Costello’s good week of practice. Shaw didn’t say as much, but it was apparent that Costello hadn’t practiced well the previous week.

So Keller Chryst played the whole game against the Beavers and struggled through one of the worst performances of his career, prompting a torrent of criticism against Shaw for not switching to Costello.

Shaw places great value on practices. Generally, if you don’t practice well, you don’t play. Another part of the Shaw credo, fans should remember, is that he scrupulously avoids overt criticism of his players. Talking to reporters, he didn’t mention any practice shortcomings by Costello.

In any case, Costello evidently got the message.

It’s not that game performances don’t matter to Shaw. How Costello plays Saturday will be critically important not only in determining who starts next week but in keeping Stanford’s Pac-12 North hopes alive.

A loss would be very costly. The Cardinal would probably have to beat Washington at home Friday night and Cal the following week, plus hope the Cougars get a third Pac-12 loss. WSU finishes with games at Utah and at Washington.

If the Cardinal and the Huskies (who face Oregon Saturday night, then Utah and WSU, all at home) finish 7-2 in league, Stanford would earn the title game berth because of the head-to-head win.

The Cougars have had their own quarterback drama. Luke Falk is the NCAA’s active leader in passing yards (13,469); touchdowns (112) and yards per game (336). But he was benched for the second time this year in last week’s 58-37 loss to Arizona.

Head coach Mike Leach has criticized him several times, complaining he overanalyzes what he’s seeing. Backup Tyler Hilinski threw for 500 yards and accounted for four touchdowns against Arizona, but he also threw four interceptions. Falk will start against Stanford, but he’s on a short leash.

Stanford defensive lineman Harrison Phillips was impressed by how Falk picked the Cardinal apart in a 42-16 rout last year.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a quarterback as calm in the pocket,” Phillips said.

Briefly: With a victory, Shaw would tie the legendary Pop Warner as the winningest coach in Stanford history. Warner, who coached on the Farm from 1924-32, had an overall record of 71-17-8. Shaw is 70-19.

Tom FitzGerald is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tfitzgerald@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @tomgfitzgerald

No. 18 Stanford (6-2, 5-1 Pac-12)

at No. 25 Washington State (7-2, 4-2)

Where: Pullman, Wash. When: 12:30 p.m. TV/Radio: Channel: 2 Channel: 40 /1050

Story lines: Stanford needs a win to keep pace with Washington in the Pac-12 North race. Washington State waxed the Cardinal last year 42-16 at Stanford Stadium. Stanford would love to erase that memory but will probably have to do it in inclement conditions.

Injuries: Stanford — CB Alijah Holder (knee) and CB Terrence Alexander (arm) are out. WSU — LB Isaac Dotson (lower body) and LB Peyton Pelluer (foot) are out. DE Derek Moore (undisclosed) is questionable.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

The Cougars have given up 35 sacks, five more than they gave up all of last season. QB Luke Falk tends to be vulnerable because he often holds the ball too long.

Stanford has 12 interceptions and is on pace for 18, which would be only the second time in 21 years that the Cardinal have had that many. Considering that the Cougars love to throw the ball, there could be some pick opportunities, even without Holder.

The kicking game could be critical in bad weather. Stanford’s Jet Toner ranks fourth in the nation with 15 made field goals (in 17 tries). He also leads the Pac-12 in field goal percentage (88.2). WSU’s Erik Powell is fourth (82.4, 14-for-17 including three from more than 50 yards).

— Tom FitzGerald

Heisman hopeful Love returns

Bryce Love will resume his Heisman Trophy chase at the right time for Stanford. The junior tailback sat out last week’s Oregon State game with a bad ankle, but he’ll play Saturday at Washington State, head coach David Shaw announced Friday.

Love was injured in the Oregon game Oct. 14, and the Cardinal looked anemic without him in a tight win over Oregon State. They had just 81 yards rushing, averaging 3 yards per carry.

In a spectacular season, Love averages 10.3 yards per carry and ranks first nationally with 198.1 rushing yards per game. He has had a rush of at least 53 yards in each game. Even after he missed a game, his nation-leading 1,387 rushing yards would rank 56th of 129 FBS programs.

— Tom FitzGerald