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For the second-straight year, the Washington State Cougars head into the Apple Cup against the Washington Huskies with a chance to claim the Pac-12 North. Last season, UW had the same on the line, as well as a trip to the College Football playoff. On Saturday, the Huskies will only be looking to play spoiler.
The two rivals sit in the top 20 of the College Football Playoff rankings (No. 13 WSU and No. 17 UW) with identical 9-2 (6-2) records. Washington lost its shot at the Pac-12 North crown and a repeat trip to the conference title game when it fell to Stanford. WSU’s win over Stanford means it holds the tiebreaker with the Cardinal for the division title.
The Apple Cup figures to be a defensive battle, with both schools relying on their defenses to carry them this season. Each has had surprising struggles on offense, with WSU starting quarterback Luke Falk having been benched on two separate occassions.
WSU is looking to snap a four-game losing streak in the rivalry, and it will need Falk to play well beyond what he has done on the road this season to do that.
Game time: 5 p.m. PT
TV channel: FOX
Online stream: FOX Sports Go
Radio: TuneIn