The No. 8 Washington State Cougars are set for some Friday night lights as they welcome their in-state rivals, the No. 18 Washington Huskies, to Martin Stadium. Washington has been victorious in each of the last five Apple Cup contests dating back to the 2013 season, but it is a 3.5-point underdog in this year’s meeting with the total Sportsbook at 49 points.
- Washington State is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games.
- Washington is 0-6 ATS in its last six games.
- The total has gone OVER in 10 of Washington State’s last 14 games (avg. combined score: 61.86).
Washington vs Washington State Game Center
Cougars look for first-ever berth in Pac-12 Championship game
Washington State has the opportunity to win 11 games in a season for the first time in school history and it picked up its 10th win last week with a 69-28 triumph over Arizona for its first 10-win season since 2003. The Cougars have stumbled just once this season, falling 39-36 at USC in Week 4, having a 38-yard field goal blocked with 1:41 remaining in the game. They are averaging 40.5 points per game, the 11th-most in the nation, and are led by senior quarterback Gardner Minshew. The Mississippi native is leading the nation with 4,325 yards and 36 touchdowns, completing 70.4 percent of his passes and allowing just seven interceptions.
The defense has been just OK for Washington State, allowing an average of 22.6 points per game, which is the 39th-fewest in the nation. Its strongest area is stuffing the run, giving up just 125.5 rush yards per game, the 23rd-fewest in college football, but it will be tested as Washington running back Myles Gaskin has rushed for 906 yards and seven touchdowns this season. The Cougars also rank 11th in the NCAA with 34 sacks this season, led by linebacker Jahad Woods, who has three sacks and four forced fumbles.
Huskies defense looks to stifle Cougars
Washington has its sights set on its first berth in the Pac-12 championship game since 2016 when it knocked off Colorado 41-10 en route to a College Football Playoff berth against Alabama. The Huskies will need to put an end to their two-game road losing slide if they want to punch their ticket into the Pac-12 title game and their offense will have to take a step forward. Through four road matches this year, the Huskies are averaging just 22.25 points per game and overall on the season, they are averaging 28 ppg, which ranks 76th in the nation. As mentioned above, Washington relies on its running attack, led by Gaskin.
Defense is the key to success for Washington as it is surrendering just 16.6 points per game, 10th-best in college football. Much like Washington State, Washington is anchored by a solid run defense, allowing just 125.2 rushing yards per game to rank No. 22 in the nation in that category. Senior linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven is leading the NCAA with 145 combined tackles, with four forced fumbles, one sack and one interception.
Is OVER in store in the Apple Cup?
Washington strives for a strong defense, while Washington State likes to run up the score and Sportsbook has the total Sportsbook at 49 points. Each of the last three Apple Cup matchups has gone OVER 49 points, with an average combined score of 57.33. Meanwhile, the total has gone OVER 49 points in four of Washington’s last six games, while the total has gone OVER 49 points in eight of Washington State’s 11 games this season. Lastly, although Washington allows the 28th-fewest passing yards per game, the main attack for Washington State, it allows the 16th-highest pass completion rate at 64.62 percent.
My take on Washington vs Washington State
I like Washington State to cover the 3.5-point spread in this year’s Apple Cup. Washington is struggling offensively in road games and I think the Cougars’ run defense should cause the Huskies more offensive issues on Friday. Additionally, Washington State is 10-1 ATS this season while Washington is just 2-9 ATS, and 0-6 ATS in its last six games. The Huskies are allowing 236.9 passing yards per game, which ranks 62nd in college football, and I think Gardner Minshew will be able to dissect them and win this game.
