It wasn’t exactly great last year – Washington 59-24 – and it was one-sided for a while, but the Apple Cup recently showed just how fun a rivalry it can be.
Washington State shocked the Huskies in the 2024 thriller. The 2023 game was a three-point Washington win, and now, it’s a statement moment for both programs.
Washington wants to be among the Big Ten elite. Washington State wants to be the star of the new Pac-12. This game will set the tone in one way or another.
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Washington leads the all-time series 69-32-4, but Washington State won the first meeting 14-0 in 1917.
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Washington State has won eight of the last nine openers. It goes to Kansas State after this.
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Washington has won four openers in a row. It gets Utah State and Eastern Washington before starting the Big Ten season against Minnesota.
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Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET
TV: NBC
Location: Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
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It’s a clean slate for new head coach Kirby Moore, with a defense loaded up with transfers, a good quarterback in Caden Pinnick from UC Davis, and a few upgrades, even though the team lost a ton of talent when former head man Jimmy Rogers left for Iowa State.
The Cougar pass rush has to emerge right away against a Husky offensive front that’s experienced, but has to be better. The ground game has to be stronger with new backs in the UW rotation, and …
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This really is a redo at Wazzu.
There’s just enough back to not be too disastrous, but the wide receiver transfers have to instantly mesh, all the new talent on defense has to come together instantly after losing 12 players to Iowa State, and it would’ve been nice to have a tune-up game before this.
The Washington defense should control this early on – Washington State won’t be able to run a lick
Demond Williams Jr. will look in midseason form right away. The Washington quarterback will be under pressure from the Cougar pass rush that really will be good right away, but after a few empty drives, it’ll all kick in.
The rivalry energy will only last so long. At least for now – and next week against Utah State – Washington woll look like a team that wants to play with the the Big Ten big boys.
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Washington 41, Washington State 17
Latest Consensus Line: Washington -22.5, o/u: 50.5
ATS Confidence (out of 5): 3
Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5
Consensus line based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
