The Apple Cup returns Sunday as the Washington State Cougars travel to Seattle to face the No. 17 Washington Huskies in one of the most familiar rivalries in college football. The matchup marks the 118th meeting between the two in-state programs.
This year’s meeting carries additional significance because it is the first time Washington and Washington State have opened their respective seasons against each other.
The Huskies enter the matchup after a 9-4 season in 2025, while the Cougars went 7-6 and finished with a Famous Idaho Potato Bowl victory over Utah State.
How to Watch Washington State at No. 17 Washington
James Snook-Imagn Images
- Time: 4 p.m. ET
- Location: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington
- TV: NBC
- Live Stream: Peacock
- Series: Washington leads 77-34-6
Washington enters its third season under head coach Jedd Fisch and begins 2026 ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. returns after starting all 13 games last season. He completed 246 of 354 passes for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 611 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.
Washington State begins the Kirby Moore era after the Cougars went 7-6 last season. Moore named redshirt sophomore Caden Pinnick the starting quarterback. Pinnick transferred from UC Davis, where he earned FCS Freshman All-America honors and was named Big Sky Freshman of the Year in 2025.
The Huskies won last year’s meeting 59-24, but the rivalry now begins a new chapter with both teams opening their seasons against each other.
College Football Conference Predictions
Athlon Sports predicts the finishing order for teams in the following conferences:
- ACC
- American
- Big 12
- Big Ten
- Conference USA
- MAC
- Mountain West
- Pac-12
- SEC
- Sun Belt
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- Poll: Expectations for Notre Dame
- Louisville vs. Ole Miss Prediction and Game Preview
- Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame Prediction and Game Preview
