Washington State Cougars vs. Washington Huskies Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 14th 2024

Stadium: CenturyLink Field Seattle
Logo Washington State Cougars
VS
Logo Washington Huskies
55
OPENER
-8

55o -109
CURRENT
-6 -105

+175
MONEYLINE
-210

24
SCORE
19

Preview and Prediction

Is the Apple Cup now a nonconference match in September?

The situation has changed.

As Washington has joined the Big Ten and Washington State remains one of the two teams in the Pacific-12 Conference, the rivals - both with 2-0 records - will face off on Saturday afternoon at Lumen Field, home of the Seattle Seahawks.

"I would like to say that we practice the same way regardless of who we are playing," stated Washington's coach Jedd Fisch, who will be participating in his first Apple Cup. "However, when it comes to a rivalry game, our practices are a bit more intense. The competitive spirit is heightened and the energy on the field is increased."

The two schools, who have not played in different conferences since 1962, agreed last year to extend the rivalry for five more years. Washington currently leads the series 73-32-6.

For the next four seasons, the games will alternate between the two schools' home fields.

"We will continue to emphasize the importance of the game without letting it become so significant that it affects our discipline and preparation," Fisch explained.

The coach expressed his excitement for the rivalry game, as it brings a level of intensity that is not often seen in nonconference play, and he hopes it continues for many years to come.

"I know we have it for the next five years," Fisch added. "So it's crucial that we maintain the significance of this game during that time."

The Huskies have started their season with two home victories - 35-3 against Weber State and 30-9 over Eastern Michigan. Washington's quarterback Will Rogers has completed 41 of 52 passes for 511 yards and five touchdowns, while Jonah Coleman has rushed for 231 yards and three TDs.

Meanwhile, Washington State has also won their first two games - 70-30 against Portland State and 37-16 against Texas Tech, both played in Pullman, Washington. Cougars' quarterback John Mateer has rushed for 252 yards and has completed 20 of 36 passes for 467 yards and six TDs.

"Our players are extremely excited to play," said Cougars' coach Jake Dickert. "They understand what is at stake...winning the Apple Cup in Pullman is a big deal."

PREDICTION
Washington State Cougars
24
30
Washington Huskies

Washington State Cougars vs. Washington Huskies

Richard Newton scored on two short touchdown runs as Washington defeated visiting Washington State 31-13 on Friday afternoon in the Apple Cup in Seattle.

The Huskies (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12) won their seventh consecutive game in the series between the cross-state rivals and for the 10th time in the past 11 meetings. Washington leads the all-time series 74-32-6.

The Cougars (6-6, 3-6), who entered the game fifth nationally with 533.0 yards per game, were held to 339.

Washington State record-setting quarterback Anthony Gordon completed 48 of 62 passes for 308 yards -- just the third time this season he failed to throw for 400 or more -- with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Gordon still became the first quarterback in Pac-12 history to surpass 5,000 passing yards in a season and the 16th in Football Bowl Subdivision history. Gordon finished the regular season with 5,228 yards.

Washington State's only touchdown came on the first drive of the game, on a 1-yard run by Max Borghi.

Borghi had 10 carries for 50 yards and made 12 receptions for 58 yards, as the Cougars were limited to short-range passes.

Jacob Eason completed 15 of 22 passes for 244 yards a touchdown for the Huskies and Salvon Ahmed rushed 16 times for 85 yards.

Washington took a 21-10 halftime lead.

After Washington State scored first, the Huskies tied it on a 3-yard run by Eason.

The Cougars regained the lead on Blake Mazza's 28-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

Eason hit Terrell Bynum with a 16-yard scoring strike to give Washington a 14-10 lead, and Newton scored on a 1-yard run with 1:38 left in the half to give the Huskies a 11-point advantage.

The Huskies took the second-half kickoff and scored in five plays, with Newton carrying the ball the final 2 yards.

Mazza kicked a 38-yarder for the Cougars with 6:40 left in the third to make it 28-13.

The only points of the fourth quarter were scored by the Huskies on Peyton Henry's 22-yard field goal with 6:35 remaining.