Washington @ Washington State preview
Martin Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2011 ) Washington State 21, Washington 38
Washington hasn't won five in a row since its Rose Bowl-winning season in 2000. The Huskies will look to match that gaudy win streak on Friday when they travel to Pullman to face rival Washington State in the Apple Cup. Improved play from the maligned defense is partially to credit for Washington, which was yielded 13 less points and 100 fewer yards from last season's total. In fact, the 2011 Huskies allowed the most points in school history. Fast forward back to 2012, when Washington rode its impressive defense to a 38-3 triumph over woe-begotten Colorado last week. A defensive effort was certainly lacking last week for Washington State, which suffered its eighth straight loss with a 46-7 setback against Arizona State.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox. LINE: Washington -11.5
ABOUT WASHINGTON (7-4, 5-3 Pac-12): Although Keith Price hasn't always flourished this season, the junior matched a school record last week by tossing five touchdowns - including four in the second half. Price joined Chris Rowland (1973) and current Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (2010) as owners of the mark. Price completed 21 of 29 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns in last season's 38-21 victory over Washington State.
ABOUT WASHINGTON STATE (2-9, 0-8): While Washington certainly knows its starting quarterback, Cougars first-year coach Mike Leach has not officially divulged the identity of his signal caller. Senior Jeff Tuel and sophomore Connor Halliday both struggled in last week's loss, but the latter tossed the lone touchdown - albeit in the final minute of the contest. Sophomore Kristoff Williams, who reeled in the 54-yard score, has four touchdowns among his 18 receptions.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Washington sophomore Bishop Sankey amassed his third straight 100-plus yard game by rushing for 139 yards versus Colorado. He also reeled in four receptions for the second consecutive contest.
2. With a loss Friday, Washington State would go winless in conference play for the second time in four years.
3. Washington TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins was named one of three finalists for the John Mackey Award. The sophomore has 58 receptions for 751 yards and five touchdowns this season.
PREDICTION: Washington 35, Washington State 13