Apple Cup Showdown: Washington Heads to Pullman Favored Big Over WSU; Week 4 picks
Washington Huskies face Washington State in the 2025 Apple Cup on September 20 in Pullman — kickoff time, TV channel, key players, and game preview.
Washington at Washington State
Date: Saturday - September 20, 2025, 4:30 p.m. PT
Location: Martin Stadium (Pullman, WA)
TV: CBS
Washington State Overview
Record: 2-1
Conference: Pac-12
Coach: Jimmy Rogers
Key Players:
Trey Leckner (So.) Tight End - Leckner caught a pair of touchdowns in WSU’s win over San Diego State. It was the fifth 2-TD game by a Cougar TE in program history. He is a local product out of Glacier Peak HS in Snohomish.
Brock Dieu (Sr.) Offensive Line - At center, Dieu garnered several preseason accolades, including the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the top collegiate center. He has spent his entire career at WSU and is one of the only three returning starters from last year’s team.
Josh Meredith (RS Sr.) Wide Receiver - Like Dieu, Meredith has spent his entire career with the Cougars. He is also one of the team’s three returning starters from last season. In WSU’s win over San Diego State, he recorded a career high 8 catches for 88 yards.
Three Things to Know
The Cougars have a QB problem. Losing 59-10 to North Texas isn’t pretty. It is especially not pretty when there is no clear answer at the QB position. Jaxon Potter, who started the team’s first two games, was a dreadful 16-for-23 with three interceptions before being pulled for the second half in the North Texas game. Julian Dugger replaced Potter and lost a fumble on his second snap. Rogers then inserted Zevi Eckhaus, who went 7-for-10 for 72 yards in garbage time. There’s a reason why Eckhaus didn’t win the starting job, but you can’t do much worse than Potter last week. So, he’s my guess to take the reins for the Cougs on Saturday.
Jimmy Rogers is a winner. Before taking the head coaching job at WSU this past offseason, Rogers compiled a 27-3 record at South Dakota State, leading his team to the FCS Championship in 2023 and the FCS semifinals last season.
Beer and wine are now sold at Martin Stadium! Washington State is piloting a “Walk-Around Pilot Program” starting with the Apple Cup. This means that WSU fans can get beer and wine at concessions stands throughout the stadium through the third quarter. In WSU football’s game notes, this is to “enhance the fan experience.”
Washington’s Keys to Victory
Key 1: Step on the gas.
Coming off a 70-10 victory and a bye week, the Huskies should be fresh and should be ready to beat up their rival and retake the Apple Cup. Washington’s offense and defense never let up against UC Davis. It should be the team’s goal to have a victory in place by early in the third quarter. The Cougars struggled on both sides of the football last week. Getting a blowout means turnovers and touchdowns. The Huskies should aim for at least one turnover in the first half and at least three touchdowns in the first half.
Key 2: Feed Jonah.
Why change the game plan? Coleman is averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Even if WSU stacks the box and cheats to stop him, I want to see Jedd Fisch make the Cougs actually do it. And, if it comes to that, then Washington should be able to find ways to spread the ball around and take advantage of a porous Cougar defense.
Key 3: Pressure Whoever the QB is.
Washington is ranked No. 73 in pass rush per Pro Football Focus. It’s been the one glaring weakness for the Hukies through the team’s first two games. Can they make progress against the No. 52-ranked pass-blocking team? If the Huskies can get pressure on whoever the QB is for WSU, I think it will be a long day for Coug fans.
Prediction
The spread: Washington is favored by 20.5 points.
Kevin: The Cougars are depleted. It’s hard to believe that John Mateer is now a Heisman contender for Oklahoma, and Cam Ward was the No. 1 overall NFL draft pick. These were the last two starting QBs for the Cougs. Now, it’s a mystery as to who is starting the Apple Cup. It’s not a mystery that this team is beat up. Kevin’s Pick: Washington 42, Washington St. 17
Danny: In classic rivalry fashion, I predict this one will end closer than a lot of UW fans would probably like. Although Washington State’s roster is nowhere near the level it was a year ago, look for the Cougs to come out hot regardless. A strong first half from WSU will eventually peter out as Washington will pull away in the second half on the back of its elite offense. Danny’s Pick: Washington 34, Washington St. 24
Week 4 Picks
2025 Records
Kevin: (Straight up, 9-1; vs. the spread, 3-7)
Danny: (Straight up, 7-3; vs. the spread, 4-6)
No. 17 Texas Tech (3-0) at No. 16 Utah (3-0) (Saturday at 9 a.m., FOX)
Kevin’s Pick: Utah 27, Texas Tech 24
Danny’s Pick: Utah 34, Texas Tech 20
Oregon State (0-3) at No. 6 Oregon (3-0) (Saturday at 12 p.m., Big Ten Network)
The spread: Oregon is favored by 33.5 points
Kevin’s pick: Oregon 41, Oregon State 10
Danny’s Pick: Oregon 49, Oregon State 13
No. 9 Illinois (3-0) at No. 19 Indiana (3-0) (Saturday at 4:30 p.m., NBC/Peacock)
The spread: Indiana is favored by 6.5 points
Kevin’s Pick: Indiana 27, Illinois 24
Danny’s Pick: Illinois 21, Indiana 14
Michigan State (3-0) at No. 25 USC (3-0) (Saturday at 8 p.m., FOX)
Kevin’s Pick: USC 24, Michigan State 20
Danny’s Pick: USC 38. Michigan State 17
Florida (1-3) at No. 4 Miami (3-0) (Saturday at 7:15 p.m., ESPN)
The spread: Miami is favored by 7.5 points
Kevin’s pick: Miami 33, Florida 24
Danny’s Pick: Miami 35, Florida 33