by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Nov 23, 2021
Game time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Where to watch: FS1
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Washington State -1
BetMGM: Washington State -1.5
Caesars: Washington State -1
Season record
Washington State: 6-5 (5-3 Pac-12)
Washington: 4-7 (3-5 Pac-12)
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Washington State - Washington preview and analysis
Last week
Washington State: won 44-18 vs. Arizona
Washington: lost 20-17 at Colorado
The Apple Cup will be on the line for the 113th time on Friday when the Washington State Cougars visit the Washington Huskies.
Had a couple games go their way, the Cougars would be playing for more than just a rivalry they've only won 32 times before. Wazzu is bowl eligible, however, and will likely be in the postseason after a strong 5-2 stretch entering Friday's rivalry game.
The Cougars, and really the Huskies, have had eventful months by moving on from their head coaches. This is the first time the Apple Cup will feature interim coaches; Nick Rolovich was fired on Oct. 18 for not complying with the State of Washington's COVID protocol, and Jimmy Lake was let go for a disappointing season.
Washington State has gone 2-2 since Jake Dickert became the coach. The Cougars are coming off a 44-18 win over the Arizona Wildcats in a matchup that was over by halftime. Quarterback Jayden de Laura threw for 259 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Max Borghi had 139 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cougars have covered seven of their last eight games; the only loss was to the Oregon Ducks in which they were given 13.5 points and failed to cover by a half point.
Washington, meanwhile, has a lot to answer for after entering the regular-season finale with only four wins. Despite the 0-2 start that featured a six-point loss to the Montana Grizzlies, Washington was sitting at 4-4 at the three-quarter mark.
Then came losses to Oregon, Arizona State and the lowly Colorado Buffaloes. The Huskies have played eight straight games that have been decided by 10 points or less, but that loss to the Buffaloes was the straw that broke the camel's back.
Washington had 426 total yards. The Huskies had the ball for six more minutes. The defense held Colorado to only 183 yards. And they still lost. Dylan Morris threw for 387 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions as UW threw the game away.
If there was ever a symbolic moment to describe the Huskies' season, it would be this game.
Prediction
College football is weird. Washington is 0-4 ATS after allowing 100 rushing yards or less in the previous game. Not that Washington State needs Borghi to run over defenses like he did last week, but fate is on Wazzu's side. The favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six matchups, so there shouldn't be any hesitation. Washington State by 10
Betting trends
The over is 6-1 in Washington State’s last seven as a favorite.
Washington is 1-7 ATS after allowing less than 275 total yards the previous week.
Washington State is 1-5 ATS in its last six at Washington
Statistical leaders
Washington State:
Passing: Jayden de Laura -- 2,506 yards, 23 TD, 9 INT
Rushing: Max Borghi -- 751 yards, 10 TD
Receiving: Calvin Jackson Jr. -- 887 yards, 7 TD
Washington:
Passing: Dylan Morris -- 2,458 yards, 14 TD, 12 INT
Rushing: Sean McGrew -- 431 yards, 8 TD
Receiving: Jalen McMillan -- 439 yards, 3 TD
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
