2022 An Apple Cup to Remember

[TuscanSota]

(Disclaimer: I am the Washington State Head Coach)

 

It wasn't too long ago that the Pac 12 North was predicted to be won through the Bay Area. But to our surprise, it will be won through the state of Washington through one of the PNW's biggest rivalries: The Apple Cup.

 

Washington sits at 7-4 (5-3) and has perhaps one of the most prolific balanced offenses in the Pac 12. At #4 in Total Offensive yards, #2 in Passing Yards, but #7 in Rushing Offense in the Pac 12, Washington has been scoring left-and right whether through the passing game or on the ground. Their defense is average at best within the conference, but it has not stopped the Huskies from being out of reach for the Pac 12 North. An upsetting loss to Western Michigan, UCLA and the Arizona Schools have dampened the Huskies season; but any chance for a rematch against the UCLA Bruins at a neutral site has the Huskies more tenacious than ever.

 

For Washington State, it has been nothing short of a miracle season. After a very rough start to the season, with a loss to Baylor at home and a loss to Oklahoma State on the road, the Cougars looked defeated before the season started. After a shut-out win to the Utes at home, a blowout loss to USC on the road, the cougars pulled the upset on a very talented California team in Pullman.

 

Following two back-to-back losses against Stanford and BYU on the road, the Cougars sat at 2-5 with a bowl game out of site. Since week 9, the Cougars have looked very different. With an upset to Arizona on the road, and a great win against Oregon at home, the Cougars made it to 4-5; two more wins against Oregon State and Arizona State, and the Cougars suddenly found themselves in the driver's seat for the Pac 12 North. With a bowl game attained, all that's left is one home match against their biggest rival: The Washington Huskies.

 

The winner of this year's Apple Cup becomes the Pac 12 North Division winner and will play in the Pac 12 Championship in Las Vegas. Washington State has the worst passing offense by miles in the Pac 12: only 996 passing yards. Their saving grace: They have the #1 rushing offense in the Pac 12. What they lack in a bell-cow RB like Vontae Knebel, they have in three backs: RB Chris Tilson, FB Conor Kobernus, and backup RB T.J. Suggs. Combined the Cougars Rush game has 2,628 rushing yards, the #10 Rushing Offense in the country.

 

With their strengths detailed, the downsides for these two teams? Penalties. Both Washington's and Wazzu's teams have been getting penalties like no other. Both teams have 21 offensive penalties through the season: and 11 (UW) and 15 (WSU) defensive penalties respectively. For defense, both teams are at #4 and #5 within the Pac 12 in Total Yards allowed; but for Washington State, the holes are in Points Allowed and Rushing yards allowed. Had the Cougars had a better start to the season, perhaps the points they gave up early on wouldn't have stacked high; but regardless for the Cougars, they're going to need to keep up with the Huskies because their run defense is just as bad as theirs. Expect a great run-game from both sides with Chris Tilson (WSU) and Nick Suarez (UW) dueling one another.

 

For folks watching this Saturday, expect chaos. Expect penalties throwing off both teams, expect breakaways in the run, and expect a close game that Washingtonians will be gloating over their families this Thanksgiving. Not only because it's the state's two biggest teams, but because one of these teams will be going to the Pac 12 Conference Championship.