This year’s Apple Cup means more for the Washington State Cougars than it has in a long time. Washington State is ranked in the top ten in the College Football Playoff rankings, and the Cougars have a shot to be one of the four teams playing for a national championship next month. That would make this year the most successful in school history. To do that, they need to get past their in-state rival, the Washington Huskies. It’s been a disappointing year for Washington, but the Huskies can win the Pac 12 North for the second time in school history with a win this week. That would pit them against a depleted Utah team in the Pac 12 Championship Game and give them a great shot at the Rose Bowl.
This contest in Week 13 will take place on Friday, November 23, 2018 at 8:30 p.m. ET at T. Martin Stadium in Pullman, Washington.
NCAA Football Betting at BookMaker.eu
Washington +4
Washington State -4
Total Check Back Later
Odds Analysis
Many were surprised to see Washington State open as such a short favorite per the college football betting odds. The Cougars were initially a three-point favorite on the CFB betting line, and that has since been pushed upwards to where it sits at four.
The total will be released on Monday evening.
Player to Watch
Gardner Minshew has not shied away from the spotlight. The graduate transfer has made the most of his one year in Pullman, and he is finally getting his due. Minshew is one of the nation’s leading passers, already topping more than 4,000 yards this season, and he is coming off his best game of the season.
Minshew shredded Arizona’s secondary through the air. He completed over 78 percent of his passes for 473 yards and threw for seven touchdowns on the outmatched Wildcats defense. The seven touchdowns in one game was a school record, and he played well into the fourth quarter in order to get it in a 69-28 rout.
This will be the toughest defense Minshew has faced all year though. Washington is allowing just 5.9 yards per pass attempt, and the Huskies don’t give up big plays through the air. The Huskies’ yards per completion numbers are second-best in the NCAA, only behind Georgia. If Minshew can’t move the ball through the air, Washington State will be in a world of trouble as this offense relies on the pass more than any other school.
Matchup to Watch
The difference for this Washington State team compared to years past is the defense. The Cougars have the 43rd best defense in the country according to S&P+, and that is the best we have seen Wazzou in a long time. With an offense this explosive, the defense only needs to be average for the team to succeed, but this unit has been much better than expected.
Stopping Washington is not something the Cougars’ defense has been able to do in the past though. The Huskies have scored at least 40 points in each of the last three meetings, and Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin have faith they can lead Washington to another Apple Cup win. Browning and Gaskin have not had great senior seasons, but the duo has torched this defense over the past three years.
Live Betting Preview
This is going to be one of the most important games of Rivalry Weekend. Browning will be the key though. He has made some uncharacteristic mistakes this year, and he has seemed to regress at times. He has seemed to really miss Dante Pettis, and Browning does not look as comfortable without his favorite option. If he can hit throws early that would be a good sign for Washington, and that would help his confidence tremendously.
College Football Odds: Washington 34, Washington State 27
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