Apple Cup Preview: Washington State Faces Steep Odds Against Ranked Washington

Washington State travels to Husky Stadium on Sunday for a 1 p.m. kickoff against No. 17 Washington, with the Huskies installed as heavy favorites in the latest installment of the long-running in-state rivalry. The game will air on NBC, a broadcast property of Comcast (CMCSA), whose shares closed recently at $26.49, down 0.64% from the prior close of $26.66, with a market capitalization of roughly $94.4 billion. Radio coverage is available on 920-AM.

The Trenches Decide It

The central battleground may be WSU’s defensive ends, Matyus McLain and Linus Zunk, against Washington’s tackles, five-star true freshman Kodi Greene and fifth-year senior Drew Azzopardi. McLain and Zunk — transfers from Idaho and Vanderbilt, respectively — turned heads throughout spring and fall camp with their ability to generate consistent pressure on quarterbacks.

Whether that pressure translates against live competition could shape the outcome. Getting to Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. gives the Cougars their clearest path toward disruptive plays and possible turnovers, while failure to do so could leave the WSU defense on its heels all afternoon.

Offensive Keys

Washington State’s offense would benefit from establishing the run with backs Kirby Vorhees and Maxwell Woods. A productive ground game would control the clock, limit possessions for Washington’s high-powered attack, and ease the burden on redshirt sophomore quarterback Caden Pinnick. Pinnick endured a rough previous outing at Husky Stadium while playing for UC Davis, completing 8 of 16 passes for 50 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

One encouraging sign: Pinnick posted a Pro Football Focus passing grade of 87.1 against the blitz last season at UC Davis — a notable number, given that Washington’s defense figures to bring heavy pressure on Sunday.

Washington’s Formula

The Huskies return 11 players who made starts last fall and run a 4-2-5 scheme under defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. The linebacker trio of Jacob Manu, Xe’ree Alexander and Zaydrius Rainey-Sale — supplemented by former Cougar Buddah Al-Uqdah — anchors a unit that could rank among the nation’s best. Safety Alex McLaughlin, who intercepted two passes in last year’s Apple Cup, remains a player to monitor.

WSU defensive tackle Kaden Beatty voiced enthusiasm about the rivalry: “I’m a Coug now, through and through. It’s in my blood. I bleed crimson and gray.”

What to watch

• Whether McLain and Zunk can pressure Williams without help, forcing him into mistakes
• WSU’s ability to establish Vorhees and Woods on the ground early
• How Pinnick handles expected blitz-heavy packages after his strong 87.1 grade against pressure
• Turnover margin — flagged as the game’s biggest swing factor
• National coverage on NBC and regional radio on 920-AM

Source: original release