Washington @ Washington State preview
Martin Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 28, 2009 ) Washington State 0, Washington 30
Washington hasn’t exactly been the hotbed of college football this fall.
Washington State’s program has dropped to the bottom of the Pac-10 Conference and Washington needs one more victory to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2002. But none of that matters this week when the two teams meet Saturday in the annual Apple Cup at Martin Stadium in Pullman.
Washington linebacker Cort Dennison admitted earlier this week that the focus needed to be on the Cougars and not on any projected bowl game. If the Huskies think ahead, they’ll surely lose, Dennison said.
And Washington (5-6, 4-4 Pac-10) still remembers how the bottom felt - the Huskies were winless two seasons ago.
Washington State (2-9, 1-7) ended its eight-game losing streak against Oregon State on Nov. 13 and has taken the last two weekends off. Washington has won two straight games, including last week’s 16-13 win at California when Chris Polk scored on a 1-yard run as time expired.
Washington leads the series 65-31-6 and holds a 33-14 record since the initiation of the Apple Cup in 1962. Washington romped 30-0 last year, but Washington State has won four of the last six meetings, including a thrilling 16-13 double-overtime game in 2008.
The rivals are two of the lowest-scoring teams in the Pac-10: Washington averages only 20.9 points, Washington State just 18.8 points. Washington has a respectable running attack (150.5 yards per game), while Washington State is dead-last in the conference with only 89.3 yards per game. Washington State throws it better (233.8 yards) than Washington (195.2 yards per game), but has allowed 46 sacks – 14 more than any other team in the league.
Washington’s Polk is only 46 yards away from reaching 1,000 for the season and has scored six touchdowns. Quarterback Jake Locker, who is playing despite sore ribs, has thrown for 1,983 yards and 15 touchdowns. Washington State sophomore Jeff Tuel has thrown for 2,482 yards and 15 touchdowns but has been intercepted 11 times.
The defenses are just as poor, holding the two bottom rungs of the conference. Washington allows 31.5 points, Washington State 35.9 per game. Each team gives up more than 400 yards, with Washington State yielding a league-worst 457.5 yards.
Washington punter Kiel Rasp, knocked out of last week's game by a big hit, is likely to return. Offensive lineman Senio Kelemete (ankle injury on the last play of the game), defensive end Talia Crichton (knee), safety Justin Glenn (head) and receiver Jordan Polk (concussion) are all questionable.
Questionable players for Washington State include running back Marcus Richmond (hamstring), receiver Gino Simone (concussion), defensive end Justin Clayton (knee) and defensive back Damante Horton (knee).
If Washington wins, the Huskies may be slated to face Oklahoma State in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego.