Apple Cup returns in Week 1 as Washington hosts Washington State
The Huskies have won 10 of the rivalry’s past 12 meetings, but Washington State enters the scheduled clash with a new coach and a projected opportunity to challenge its in-state rival.
Washington and Washington State are scheduled to meet in the Apple Cup at Husky Stadium on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET, opening their college football campaigns in Week 1.
Washington has won 10 of the teams’ past 12 meetings, including a 59–24 victory in Pullman last season. Washington State’s two wins in that stretch have come within the past five seasons.
The Cougars won seven games in 2025 and finished with a bowl victory over Utah State. Kirby Moore now takes over as coach after three seasons as Missouri’s offensive coordinator, with transfer quarterback Caden Pinnick highlighted as a potential factor in the offence.
Washington won nine games last season, while coach Jedd Fisch enters his third season in charge. Returning quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is among the players expected to shape the Huskies’ prospects, with Washington also seeking another strong defensive campaign.
CBS Sports reported that Washington State’s defence ranked among the national leaders in yards and points allowed last season, although the team’s influx of transfers could affect its performance. The SportsLine Projection Model gives the Cougars a 22 per cent chance of winning after 10,000 simulations, while its money-line recommendation remains a forecast rather than a confirmed outcome.
