Apple Cup Preview: Washington State vs Washington

Setting the Table: Fans of these programs will likely have to get used to an Apple Cup this early in the season. This is a big spot for Washington State and new head coach Jimmy Rogers. Presenting a huge bounce back opportunity after a humiliating display on the road against North Texas, 3 interceptions, 2 fumbles, 7 TFLs, an alarming performance in the 59-10 obliteration. The nice week 2 win against San Diego State looks well and truly in the Cougars' rear-view mirror. Rogers will need his side to be buttoned up against the Huskies to avoid back-to-back losses. We won't know who is behind center for Washington State until Saturday, which is a concern in itself, 6'5 Sophomore Jaxon Potter was missing receivers and skying balls in his 3 int performance last week, while the other options will be Zevi Eckhaus, the former Walter Payton award finalist from 2023, could provide more of a experienced option, lastly Julian Dugger was the 17th ranked dual threat QB recruit coming out of high school, it hasn't quite translated in the College Ranks but coach Rogers has said "his legs can kill you", facing a Huskies team that has questions against the run, he might be your man.

We still need to answer some questions about this group for the Huskies. A back-and-forth affair with Colorado State in the opener looked more concerning after the Rams struggled with FCS Northern Colorado the following week, and a drubbing of FCS opponent UC Davis was to be expected in week 2 in Seattle. One area we certainly don't have questions about is their three-pronged offensive attack. Jonah Coleman looks like one of the best backs in College Football with 7(!) TDs to his name already, Denzel Boston has 10 receptions on the year, and when Demond Williams gets moving, that kid can fly! Runs of over 45 yards in both games so far. The questions for the Huskies still to be answered will be on the defensive side of the ball: How will this group hold up against the run? If Tacario Davis misses time, will the secondary still create turnovers? With the Buckeyes on deck, Jedd Fisch must use last year's stinging defeat to have his group focused. With the game in Pullman, the crowd could play a significant factor if the Cougars can keep it tight.

Statistical Pulse: Washington State ranks 133rd in the nation in rushing yards per game at 68 yards per game. This is the reason I could envision Dugger getting the nod. If they can't establish the run against San Diego State, North Texas, and Idaho, it's hard to imagine them doing that against Washington. From a PFF standpoint, the Huskies haven't been as clean against the run, especially against Colorado State, where Jalen Dupree rushed for 92 yards on only 15 attempts. So we have a matchup of the last-place run graded team in the nation thus far in Washington State, vs the 6th-lowest run defense in the country in the Huskies, something will have to give. Defensively, it's hard to judge the Cougars too much against North Texas, as the turnovers destroyed any chance of keeping them in the ball game. Though Washington State is allowing 4.16 yards per carry, a frightening number with Jonah Coleman coming to town. The Huskies are 4th in the nation with 303 yards on the ground per game.

Coach Speak: Jedd Fisch has talked about the experience in last year's game being a major learning lesson for his staff. Understanding the importance of the game, and even talking with QB Demond Williams about the stinging feeling in the locker room after last season's defeat. He also mentioned Deshawn Lynch, the edge rusher coming back from injury, to potentially bolster the defensive line. Tacario Davis, the CB who followed Fisch from Arizona, seems a game-time decision.

Markets: Washington is currently a 19.5-point favorite in Pullman, with the over/under set at 51.5. That feels like a lot of points. Though I wouldn't be on Washington State either, when you're trotting out 3(!) QBs in week 3, you clearly aren't loving your solutions behind center. This is a challenging game to wager on, as the Huskies have Ohio State on deck; they will likely want to coast in the second half if they race out to an early lead. While the Cougars, we don't even know who is playing QB. I don't see many stops here, especially not by the Cougars run defense, so Jonah Coleman over 108.5 rushing yards is a solid way to get some action down on the Apple Cup, if you want something a little hipster, coach Rogers this week has talked about RB Leo Pulalasi playing the best ball of his life, the redshirt sophomore scored 2 TDs last year, had 7 carries against North Texas, and is a juice +430 anytime TD scorer. It could be worth a punt!

Prediction: Given the Huskies staff having the experience under their belt in this rivalry, a superior roster across the board, and an offense that can put up points on damn near anybody in the country. It is hard to see a path to victory for the Cougars. The lack of rushing attack for Washington State, and unreliable QB play, despite questions on the defense of Washington, makes it very hard to predict anything other than a comfortable Huskies victory.