This game will mark the 117th time the Apple Cup has been played, with the Huskies leading the all-time series 76-34-6.
WSU beat UW last year, one of the most emotional wins for the Cougars in recent memory, due to the dismantling of the Pac-12 and former athletic director Pat Chun leaving for UW. WSU won on a goal-line tackle to win 24-19.
WSU is coming into the game with a 2-1 record, fresh off a 49-point loss to North Texas, a game so daunting that it ignited a quarterback competition four weeks into the season.
On the other side, UW is coming in 2-0, fresh off a 60-point blowout win versus the University of California, Davis. UW will arrive in Pullman coming off a bye week, well-rested but with one less week of gameplay than the Cougs.
WSU chances will go up depending on three things:
One is at quarterback. Zevi Eckhaus gives the Cougars their best chance to win. Potter has shown what he’s capable of, which isn’t up to snuff for a Power 4 conference team.
Second is the Cougar defense’s ability to limit star running back Jonah Coleman, who has nearly 300 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in two games, averaging a staggering seven yards a carry.
Third is to win the turnover battle. If WSU wants to win this game, they must generate two turnovers and not turn the ball over.
Head coach Jimmy Rogers was brought to WSU due to his high level of play at South Dakota State University; his run-first offense was different from what WSU fans have seen. So far in his three-game tenure, the run game has been minimal. In the Cougars’ best win so far, versus San Diego State University, the pass-first offensive approach set up the run. Rogers acknowledged it, but didn’t seem adamant about continuing to do it.
I expect a relatively high-scoring game. The first few possessions will result in points, but I think Coleman will fumble and give WSU a short field and get the first score of the game. My score prediction is 24-17, resulting in a Cougars win. If Zevi does not start, I believe WSU loses 31-10.
Here’s what the rest of the sports staff had to say:
