AN APPLE A DAY ...
IN-STATE RIVALS HUSKIES, COUGARS HAVE A LOT ON LINE IN APPLE CUP
KEYS FOR WASHINGTON
Browning keeps winning: Washington senior Jake Browning became the winningest quarterback in Pac-12 history with his 37th win to pass former Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and ex-Stanford star Kevin Hogan. Browning is 37-13 while starting all but one game during his four years at UW.
Help on the line: The Huskies got a late-season boost when All-American tackle Trey Adams made his debut last week against Washington after missing the first 10 games due to injury. Adams could make his first start of the season against WSU to clear the way for Myles Gaskin, who needs 39 rushing yards to become the fifth Pac-12 running back to eclipse 5,000 career yards.
KEYS FOR WASHINGTON STATE
Play the favorite: The Cougars opened up as a three-point favorite over Washington, marking the first time since 1996 they are picked to win the Apple Cup. However, the Huskies are 4-3 in their last seven games as the underdog against WSU dating back to 1997. Keep Heisman hope alive: WSU quarterback Gardner Minshew may be a longshot to catch Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa or Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray in the Heisman Trophy race, but the WSU senior quarterback is putting himself in position to earn a trip to New York as a finalist. Minshew has thrown for 4,325 yards and 36 touchdowns with two games remaining before the Heisman ballots are due.
PREDICTION
Washington State 33,
Washington 30: It should be another tremendous game-day atmosphere in Pullman, Wash. with the home fans ready to celebrate if the Cougars clinch their first North Division title.