First look
Time: 3:45 p.m. Saturday. TV: FSN
The records: Washington, 4-7, 2-6 Pac-10; WSU, 6-5, 4-4 Pac-10.
Last week: Washington lost 20-3 to Stanford at home; WSU lost 47-14 at Arizona State.
Last time: The Cougars won their second consecutive Apple Cup last season after Alex Brink threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Trandon Harvey with 1:20 left to play, the decisive score in a 26-22 victory. Brink became the first Cougars quarterback to win consecutive Apple Cups, and in doing so WSU notched its lone Pac-10 victory of the season after losing the first seven games of the league slate.
The line: WSU by 9
What it means for Washington: Not much after a stunning loss to a team widely considered a contender for the worst Pac-10 team of the decade. The Huskies could have made a bowl game with wins in their last two games, but the defeat against Stanford renders this game irrelevant for UW on the bowl front. Of course, the Huskies still have a lot of pride at stake, and they certainly do not want to become the first UW team in history to lose a third straight game to WSU.
What it means for WSU: Everything and then some. By losing their last two games, the Cougars have left themselves in virtual must-win territory, although it is possible they could make a bowl game even after a loss this week. Still, the idea of finishing the season on a three-game skid has to rankle the Cougars. Winning a third straight Apple Cup is also a motivating factor, one brought up by head coach Bill Doba in discussion with his team. In addition to the bowl ramifications, there’s a whole lot of pride at stake for WSU, too. And for Doba, this could easily be looked upon as a tenure-defining game. A loss, and the air could go out of the tires on his program. A win, and things could be looking up for 2007.
Injury update: The Cougars have been banged up all season, and they’re not stopping now with just one regular-season game left. Defensive tackle Aaron Johnson (elbow sprain), wide receiver Chris Jordan (knee sprain) and kicker Loren Langley (quad strain) are out. Wide receiver Jason Hill (ankle), running back DeMaundray Woolridge (shoulder stinger) and cornerback Markus Dawes (quad strain) are at best doubtful to play. Defensive tackles Ropati Pitoitua (knee) and Feveae’i Ahmu (foot) will be limited in practice and are questionable. So, too, are wideout Michael Bumpus (ankle) and running back Derrell Hutsona (ankle). Linebacker Scott Davis has a broken wrist but will play in the Apple Cup. For the Huskies, quarterback Carl Bonnell (thigh bruise) will start but his backup, Johnny DuRocher (concussion), is questionable. Defensive tackle Brandon Ala (elbow) is out. Safety Jason Wells (knee) is questionable.
Glenn Kasses