Even realignment can’t take away the Apple Cup. One of college football’s most exciting rivalry games will be renewed this afternoon. Washington State, still a part of the Pac-12, will be starting over with a new head coach in a brand new conference. It’s a different story for Washington, a program with postseason aspirations in the loaded Big Ten. Who will come out on top during Sunday’s showdown at Husky Stadium?
The Huskies are listed as 23.5-point favorites over the Cougars, with the total set at O/U 51.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Sunday’s Washington State vs. Washington Week 1 matchup.
Washington State vs. Washington prediction, preview
Jimmy Rogers has left Pullman, taking over as Iowa State’s head coach. Washington State opted to bring aboard Kirby Moore, offensive coordinator at Missouri. The move suggests more emphasis on the passing game, a staple in the past for this program. Don’t expect something akin to Mike Leach’s air raid offense, but there will be more plays through the air. All quarterback Caden Pinnick did at UC Davis was put up monster numbers. The freshman threw for 3,206 yards and 32 touchdowns, leading the Big Sky conference in almost every major statistical category. It wasn’t the most difficult competition, so an adjustment period is more than likely. Still, we’ve seen passers with a similar background come out firing at the FBS level.
Pinnick won’t have to do it all by himself either. Kirby Voorhees is back on campus, fresh off of a solid 2025 season. The running back churned out 576 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore; a 1,000-yard campaign isn’t out of the question. WSU’s veteran offensive line should open up its fair share of running lanes. The biggest question for this group is on the outside, where the Cougs need to find a playmaker (or two) at wide receiver. Senior Tony Freeman is a quality safety blanket, but he’s not enough to compete against Power 4 competition. Former four-star recruits Tank Hawkins (Florida) and Darrius Clemons (Oregon State) have potential, but it hasn’t translated to much in terms of production.
The defense is a bit of an enigma for Wazzu, given the massive amount of transfers coming into town. It’s safe to say that incoming defensive coordinator Trent Bray will have his hands full this season. Vanderbilt’s Linus Zunk should make an instant impact on the edge. Jailil Tucker (Oregon State) offers tenacity and play making at safety, plus he has familiarity with Bray’s scheme. Still, there isn’t much on this unit in terms of proven talent. Up front, there’s some cause for concern when it comes to this group of defensive tackles. Given the kind of rushing attacks on Washington State’s schedule, that’s not exactly ideal.
The Jed Fisch era hasn’t been bad per se, but it’s safe to call his two-year tenure somewhat disappointing. Keep in mind, Washington made it to a National Championship Game in 2024 under former head coach Kalen DeBoer. An ensuing move to the Big Ten has made UW feel like one of several good, not great, clubs in a top-heavy conference. That’s not a bad place to be long term, but this fanbase is eager for a return to the CFP.
Fortunately for the Huskies, this year’s crew has the makings of a dark horse contender. It all starts under center, where quarterback Demond Williams returns for his junior year. Last season, the dual-threat threw for 3,065 yards, scrambled for 611 more, and racked up 31 total touchdowns. The departures of running back Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston, both NFL-bound, will be difficult to overcome. However, four starters along the offensive line are back, so there should be solid protection up front for Williams.
Defense was a strength for the Huskies in 2025; they ranked fifth in the Big Ten with 311.4 yards allowed per game. The highlight was UW’s 3.3 yards allowed per rush attempt, 15th-best in the nation. That kind of stifling production up front makes things incredibly difficult on opposing offenses. On the flip side, this secondary is saying goodbye to several outstanding defensive backs. Starting cornerbacks Ephesians Prysock and Tacario Davis have gone pro, although there are a few returning players at the positon that can make up for those losses. In addition, leading tackler Alex McLaughlin is back at safety. Ditto for pass rushing linebacker Jacob Lane, who led all Washington players in sacks (4.0) and tackles for loss (8.5).
Best Bet: Washington -23.5 (-108)
It’s tempting to back a Wazzu cover here. After all, it is a rivalry game. Not to mention, Pinnick provides plenty of intrigue under center for the Cougars. However, a road trip against one of the Big Ten’s better schools presents quite the challenge for Moore’s squad. Washington State’s brand new defense doesn’t inspire much confidence against an experienced passer such as Williams. In addition, the Huskies wield one of college football’s most effective run defenses. An inexperienced roster with a talent deficit in the trenches? That doesn’t scream ‘upset’ heading into Sunday’s grudge match.
