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After a one-year hiatus, the Apple Cup resumes tonight as the Washington State Cougars and Washington Huskies meet for the 113th time — and as has become the norm, the stakes are huge for the Cougars.
The game will kick off at 5 p.m. PT from Husky Stadium in Seattle; you can find the TV broadcast on FS1, online streaming at FoxSports.com, and via the Fox Sports app on your phone or tablet.
If WSU can win the game — something the Cougars haven’t done since 2012 — they’ll secure part one of a scenario that would see them ascend to the top of the Pac-12 North and into the Pac-12 Championship Game next weekend. Part two would have to come on Saturday, where Oregon State needs to beat Oregon, creating a three-way tie atop the division with the Beavers and the Ducks. By virtue of the top division record and a head-to-head win over the Beavers, the Cougars own the tiebreaker.
Of course, part one is no slam dunk, even though the Huskies enter the game reeling, having lost three in a row — including last week’s stunner to Colorado — and without a chance of bowl eligibility. The rivalry has been lopsided to Washington overall, but even by those standards, the Cougars have had an inordinate amount of trouble with their rivals over the last seven meetings, having lost by double digits in each.
WSU, though, brings a resurgent defense and an explosive offense to the meeting. Sophomore quarterback Jayden de Laura leads the Pac-12 in passing yards (2,497) and touchdowns (23), and two of his favorite targets — Calvin Jackson Jr. and Travell Harris — are second and third, respectively, in the conference in receiving yards and third and first in touchdowns.
The key to the Cougs’ offense, though, might be their rushing attack, led by Max Borghi and supplemented by Deon McIntosh. The Huskies’ run defense seems to be their soft spot.
Meanwhile, WSU’s defense could make life easier on the offense by continuing its ball-hawking ways: Washington has given the ball away 19 times, third-worst in the conference.
LINKS
'All of them are focused': Looking back at the most impactful Apple Cup performers among active Washington State players | Washington State University | khq.com
SEATTLE – Washington State comes to the West Side with a fresh coaching staff – inexperienced in this rivalry – and a fairly new-look roster compared to the last time
'It's not about what the past record is': Washington State playing for more than payback in Apple Cup | Washington State University | khq.com
For Washington State, there is much hinging on the outcome of Friday’s long-awaited Apple Cup.
Commentary: Motivated Washington State has best chance in years to fill vacant Apple Cup trophy case | Washington State University | khq.com
A few presidential administrations ago, back when Washington State’s football operations facility was new, former Director of Athletics Bill Moos did his best impression of an MTV Cribs walk-through (forgive
Two-minute drill: Keys to victory for Washington State against Washington | Washington State University | khq.com
Don’t take your eyes off ...
The pick: Why Washington State will beat Washington | Washington State University | khq.com
SEATTLE – Set aside for a moment all the noise surrounding this rivalry game – its mostly one-sided history, its anxious build-up and all the annual smack talk.
Washington State cornerback Jaylen Watson to attend Senior Bowl | Washington State University | khq.com
Three years ago, Jaylen Watson was grinding through the immense challenges of California's juco life while playing football at Ventura College.
'You honestly couldn't have written a better script': Former Cougars reflect on 2007 Apple Cup, Washington State's last victory in Seattle | Washington State University | khq.com
Almost immediately after Alex Brink’s college football finale, a nickname was coined for the Washington State quarterback.
'We've been looking at that clock for a whole year': Composed Washington State awaiting chance to snap Apple Cup skid | Washington State University | khq.com
PULLMAN – Early in 2020, not long after a new regime was brought in to head Washington State, two clocks were installed in the Cougars’ football complex.
WSU Cougars not thinking about past Apple Cups as they look to end drought: ‘This is our moment, the 2021 team’ | The Seattle Times
The Cougars have a chance to win the program's first Apple Cup since 2012 and stay alive in the battle to be Pac-12 North Division champion.
Washington vs. Washington State odds: 2021 Apple Cup picks, college football predictions from proven model - CBSSports.com
SportsLine's model just revealed its CFB picks and best bets for Washington State vs. Washington in the Apple Cup 2021
Nick Rolovich ‘divided an indivisible fan base’ at Washington State. Now, the Cougars are moving forward – The Athletic
Four weeks after their head coach was fired, the Cougars have gone 2-2 and are bowl-eligible. But important decisions linger on the horizon.
Battle of the interim coaches at Apple Cup after firings of UW's Jimmy Lake and WSU's Nick Rolovich | KNKX Public Radio
The Washington Huskies are seeking their eighth consecutive win over the Washington State Cougars in the 113th Apple Cup. The annual football rivalry game was canceled last year due to the pandemic but resumes Friday night at Husky Stadium.
Former Gonzaga Prep standout, WSU walk-on Bob Gregory will lead Huskies against his alma mater in Friday's Apple Cup | The Spokesman-Review
It may be a stretch, but local Washington State football fans could find themselves in a rooting interest pickle for Friday’s Apple Cup in Seattle. On one hand, the Cougars. On the other, the Washington Huskies, whose head coach happens to be a former Gonzaga Prep standout and a walk-on football player at WSU.