PULLMAN -- Starting quarterback Jeff Tuel's fractured collarbone is healing and he has started throwing the football, but Washington State coach Paul Wulff on Tuesday was not ready to predict when Tuel will return to the lineup.

Wulff said Tuel is likely to regain the starting job from Marshall Lobbestael when he is ready to play. But he added that decision rested in part on how Lobbestael plays.

"At this point, if Jeff is healthy he'll be our starting quarterback," Wulff said. "We haven't got to that point yet. '

Tuel, who started all last season, was injured during his first series of the year. Lobbestael, a fifth-year senior who didn't figure to see much action, stepped in and has led the Cougars to a 2-1 record heading into Saturday's Pac-12 opener at Colorado (1-3).

Lobbestael is completing 62 percent of his passes and has 10 touchdown passes and two interceptions. He leads the Pac-12 with a passing efficiency rating of 180.2. But he had a rough outing in the loss at San Diego State on Sept. 17, despite a career-high 368 yards passing. He was intercepted twice and sacked six times.

The Cougars had a bye last weekend.

Tuel started throwing without pads last week. Wulff hopes he can throw with pads and even participate in practices after the Colorado game.

Washington State opened with easy wins over Idaho State and UNLV, and the Cougars led San Diego State after three quarters before being outscored 21-0 in the fourth to lose 42-24.

Colorado and UCLA the following week figure to be among the more beatable of the nine Pac-12 opponents left on the WSU schedule.

Wulff said Colorado is a good passing team and has a good pass rush.

The Cougars remain among the nation's offensive leaders, averaging 539 yards per game, ranked sixth among FBS teams. They are fifth in scoring at 49 points per game.

Washington State and Colorado have played six times in the past, with the Buffaloes holding a 4-2 advantage.