Apple Cup 2020 kickoff time set by ESPN

We’ve known for a little while that the Apple Cup would still be on Black Friday, and we’ve also known for a little while that the game would be on ESPN. Now we finally know the kickoff time: The Washington State Cougars and Washington Huskies will battle it out at 7:30 p.m. PT.

The game is in Pullman this year, so we don’t have to tell you what that probably means for the temperature around kickoff on November 27. Best-case scenario is probably something just above freezing; worst-case scenario ... yeah — something a bit less than freezing. And maybe wet. And maybe also windy.

The decision to play a game in Pullman at that time of night on that particular date simply further reinforces the belief that nobody in television considers anything other than the bottom line. It’s very likely going to be unnecessarily miserable for the players and coaches, who will say all the right things about not caring about the weather and blah blah blah but somewhere inside have to be seething at this decision.

Here’s the full Black Friday lineup on ESPN properties:

WSU at the Stanford Cardinal will kick off at 8 p.m. PT next weekend, and we’re still waiting on game times for the final two scheduled games against the USC Trojans and California Golden Bears

Links

WSU football mailbag: How will the Cougars contain Oregon’s run game? | The Seattle Times
Here's the latest mailbag from the Spokesman-Review's WSU football beat reporter.

Oregon vs Washington State Prediction, Game Preview - College Football News
Wazzu will score enough to make Oregon keep pressing, but turnovers will become an issue. The Ducks will be a +2 in turnover margin to pull away in the second half.

Five key stats that indicate shift in offensive culture at WSU | Sports | union-bulletin.com
Those who've been accustomed to Air Raid box scores may have had to perform a few double takes Saturday night while monitoring the Cougars' season opener at Oregon State —

No. 11 Oregon and WSU bring young QBs to Pac-12 North test | Sports | wenatcheeworld.com
The Nick Rolovich era at Washington State opened with a victory against an Oregon school. Can the Cougars make it two in a row?

Cristobal ahead of WSU: " We have to be addicted to improvement"
Oregon head coach Mario Cristobal discusses the improvements that are needed ahead of Washington State.

Washington State’s McIntosh proves himself as a starter | Sports | lmtribune.com
At Notre Dame and Washington State, Deon McIntosh showed he can succeed as a backup.Now, he’s a proven starter.

College football expert picks, predictions for Week 11, 2020: Oregon covers against Washington State - CBSSports.com
One of Sallee's top college football picks for Week 11: He's backing No. 11 Oregon (-10) to cover on the road against Washington State in a 7 p.m. ET Pac-12 matchup.

Football Practice Report: Nov. 11 - University of Oregon Athletics
The Ducks were in full pads again Wednesday and conducted a 2-minute drill to end practice.

A battle of Pac-12′s best: Washington State RT Abe Lucas vs. Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux - oregonlive.com
Thibodeaux and Lucas are each the best in the conference this season at their respective jobs, which are in direct conflict.

College Football Free Predictions, Previews Winners & Whiners: Week 11
*Give credit to former Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich, who took over for Mike Leach at Washington State. True freshman QB Jayden de Laura passed for 227 yards and two TDs in his first game as Rolovich-led Washington State downed Oregon State 38-28 to open their season. The Cougars will have a tough matchup this week against Oregon, who crushed Stanford 35-14 last week to open their season. The Ducks also had a new QB in Tyler Shough, who threw for 227 yards and ran for 85 yards. Washington State has covered 10 straight in this one so take the 10 points here.

Cal Bears still don't know status of season opener at ASU
The Cal football team is preparing for a season opener Saturday at Arizona State but Berkeley city officials are not giving an OK yet.

Revisiting last year’s College Cup Final Four – The Daily Evergreen
The 2019-20 season was a historic one for the Washington State Women’s soccer team. The Cougars posted a record of 16-7-1, en route to the first NCAA Final Four appearance in program history. While the entire season was indeed a rollercoaster, the most notable match occurred in Eugene E. Stone III Stadium, in Columbia, South...

Recruiting should help Washington State Cougars hoops build momentum
Rebuilding the Washington State program will be helped by newcomers to Kyle Smith's team.