YOU’VE GOT TO WIN AGAINST THE RIVAL
Washington State seeks rare win vs. in-state rival
Former college coaches weigh in on Jim Harbaugh’s frustrations vs. Ohio State.
PULLMAN, Wash. — Located inside the Washington State football complex is a glass enclosure where, when it’s in the possession of the crimson and gray, the Apple Cup trophy resides.
It’s been five years since the trophy has called Pullman home, and reclaiming ownership today (6:30 p.m., Fox) when No. 7 Washington State hosts No. 16 Washington would add a chapter to a season already unlike no other in the Cougars’ history.
A year that began with tragedy could end with unexpected triumph if the Cougars (10-1, 7-1 Pac-12, No. 8 CFP) can end their five-game skid. The winner will play in the Pac-12 championship game against Utah as the North Division champ, and for the Cougars, there still remains the outside possibility of landing in the College Football Playoff with two more wins and a lot of chaos.
Washington State even being mentioned in the CFP conversation is astonishing. The season has provided joy and excitement to a program shrouded in sadness less than a year after the death of quartrback Tyler Hilinski.
OKLAHOMA-W.VA.: No. 6 Oklahoma against No. 12 West Virginia gives Heisman Trophy hopefuls Kyler Murray and Will Grier the chance to make perhaps one final impression.
The Big 12’s top two scoring offenses will battle today (6 p.m., ESPN) in Morgantown, W.Va., for the right to go to next week’s Big 12 championship game. There could be a rematch next week depending on how other games play out.
The Sooners (10-1, 7-1 Big 12, No. 6 CFP) are chasing their third-straight title along with a berth in the College Football Playoff but might need at least one team ahead of them to lose.
Oklahoma is the only team that West Virginia (8-2, 6-2, No. 13 CFP) hasn’t defeated since joining the league in 2012. The Mountaineers also haven’t gone a full season unbeaten at home since 2009.
Thursday’s game
No. 22 MISSISSIPPI STATE 35, MISSISSIPPI 3: In Oxford, Miss., Nick Fitzgerald ran for two touchdowns and threw for another score to lead Mississippi State over Mississippi in an Egg Bowl marred by a fight in the second half that led to four ejections.
Mississippi State looked as though it would cruise to a fairly uneventful win before Ole Miss receiver A.J. Brown appeared to score a touchdown at the end of the third quarter. Players immediately started shoving, and the fight spilled into the end zone while both benches emptied onto the field.
Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler, Jamal Peters and Willie Gay Jr. were ejected, along with Ole Miss’ C.J. Moore. The referee said every player on both teams received an unsportsmanlike penalty.
Brown’s touchdown was called back because time had expired in the third quarter before the play began.
As for the game, Mississippi State (8-4, 4-4 SEC) won by sticking to what it’s done best all year: running the ball effectively and playing terrific defense. The Bulldogs gained 122 yards rushing in the first quarter to set the tone and built a 14-0 lead by early in the second quarter. Kylin Hill added 108 yards rushing. Ole Miss (5-7, 1-7) ended the season on a five-game losing streak.