Washington State Faces Tall Task Against No. 17 Washington in Season-Opening Apple Cup

The college football season begins Sunday with a rare occurrence: an Apple Cup serving as the season opener. Comcast Corporation subsidiary NBC will broadcast the matchup, featuring first-year Washington State head coach Kirby Moore taking his team to Husky Stadium to face the 17th-ranked Washington Huskies.

This contest marks the third game in a five-year scheduling agreement between the schools, a deal born out of the Pac-12’s dissolution in 2023. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the Cougars entering as significant underdogs. Sportsbooks currently list Washington State as roughly a 22.5-point underdog. The Cougars have not defeated the Huskies on the road since 2021.

Moore’s debut will rely heavily on a defensive unit that reportedly dominated fall camp. The group is expected to generate pressure from edge rushers Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk, while safeties Jaylen Thomas and Jeremiah Bernard provided turnovers during the preseason. The defensive line, featuring tackles like Kaden Beatty and Paul Hutson III, performed well enough in scrimmages to raise questions about the state of the Washington State offense.

The Cougs’ offense features continuity at running back with Kirby Vorhees, Maxwell Woods, and Leo Pulalasi, while true freshman Tre Hill Jr. emerged as a potential playmaker during camp. The offensive line, anchored by returning tackles Ashton Tripp and Jonny Lester, faces a critical test in protecting quarterback Caden Pinnick. Throughout camp, Washington State’s defensive front frequently disrupted the backfield, forcing Pinnick to scramble.

Washington enters the game with stability at the quarterback position following a tumultuous offseason. Demond Williams, who briefly entered the transfer portal amid speculation about a move to LSU, ultimately returned to Seattle. Moore praised Williams as an explosive playmaker capable of hurting defenses through the air and on the ground, noting the Huskies’ veteran offensive line and talented wide receivers.

What to watch

• Broadcast impact: NBC holds the broadcast rights for the early-season conference game.
• Market performance: Comcast Corporation shares are down 1.7% today, trading at $26.62.
• Quarterback play: The effectiveness of Washington State’s protection for Pinnick against a top-20 defense.

Source: original release