The Washington Huskies will face the Washington State Cougars in the 117th edition of the Apple Cup on Saturday. The Huskies are heavy favorites going into this game against a Washington State team that is looking to rebound from a blowout loss on the road last week. Here, I break down the Apple Cup and give you my Washington vs Washington State prediction.
Our Washington vs Washington State Pick
- Pick: Washington -19.5
- Confidence: ★★★★☆
- Get Your Bonus Bets: Bet $5 and get $200 in bonus bets INSTANTLY using our DraftKings Sportsbook bonus. Click the Claim Bonus button below to start!
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+ 
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code: Click To Claim
Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + Over $200 Off NFL Sunday Ticket
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Promo Code: Click To Claim
Gambling Problem? Call or TEXT 1-800-Gambler 21+
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Washington Huskies vs Washington State Cougars
- Date & Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025, 7:30 PM EDT
- Venue: Gesa Field at Martin Stadium, Pullman, WA
- Broadcast: CBS
Key Storylines
- Washington’s Dominant Ground Game: The Huskies have been impressive on the ground, averaging 303.5 rushing yards per game. Running back Demond Williams Jr. leads the charge with 288 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He has scored a touchdown in 17.9% of his carries through three games, which is incredible.
- Washington State’s Offensive Struggles: The Cougars’ offense has faced challenges, particularly in their recent 59-10 loss to North Texas. Quarterback Jaxon Potter has thrown for 604 yards but has been prone to turnovers. The running game has been ineffective for the Cougars, averaging just 68.7 rushing yards per game.
- Defensive Matchups: Washington’s defense has been solid, allowing an average of 15.5 points per game. The Huskies have a huge advantage on defense going into this matchup and will try to use that to win this rivalry game.
Quarterback Play
- Washington: Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has been efficient. He has completed 34 of 49 passes for 480 yards and two touchdowns. His ability to protect the football is important and it will be tested on the road in what will be a hostile environment.
- Washington State: Jaxon Potter has thrown for 604 yards but has also tossed three interceptions. His inconsistency and the lack of a reliable running game put additional pressure on him to perform against a strong Washington defense.
Betting Trends & H2H
- Washington’s Recent Success: The Huskies have won 9 of the last 11 Apple Cups.
- Covering the Spread: Washington is 1-1 against the spread to start the season. Washington State has gone 1-2 ATS over that time frame.
- Over/Under Trends: The Cougars have gone over the total in two of their first three games. Washington has gone over the total in both of their first two games this year.
Washington vs Washington State Model Projection
- Score Projection: Washington 38 – Washington State 14
- Win Probability: Washington 93.1%, Washington State 6.9%
Final Thoughts
College football is better with a competitive Apple Cup matchup. But I’m not sure that we will get a competitive game between these teams this year. Washington is better on both sides of the ball and Washington State is reeling after getting destroyed by North Texas last week. I’ll lay the points with the Huskies, who will be the fresher team after an idle week last week.
