Ahhhh... the Apple Cup

[79COUG]

Will this be the year that a more talented WSU team takes it? I'm cautiously optimistic. Good karma and tough nosed play seems to be with these kids. On offense we're by far the better team. On defense we're better than the mutts but not by much.
Home field for the ewe can negate our advantage on paper but not enough for another blow out face plant we've seen recently. Our senior leadership is better than I've seen in a long time. Tough, hard nosed bunch of guys who've been through the wringer the last couple years.
It will be close but we put it all together and pull away late in the game.
And the flaming leg-humpers from montlake stay home in December!

 

[FnuLnu]

WSU isn't more talented.

 

[chugspig]

I’m not convinced. UWs defense is still good, and particularly in the secondary/linebacker area as of late. If Jayden is even a little off they can make some big plays quick on D. Their Dline gets pushed around, but I just watched Arizona’s Dline challenge our Oline for a half. Our secondary also struggles against good WR, and UWs WR are good they just have a turd throwing to them. But they could connect over top at any point. It will really come down to how well we do the little things, cover, tackle, and execute. Brian Smith has to have an A game and not just run slip screen and post routes. UW will be prepared.

 

[jarvis1981]

Wasn't this the year OSU dominates WSU. Guess what.... the Cougars continued their streak.
Until WSU beats UW then they are the underdog. I will say that they are less of an underdog this year, but only because UW have not found a consistent offense. Their D-backs are good and JDL and the Cougar offense still will want to pass a lot.

Avoid turnovers (like last night) and make a few big plays (like last night) and I like the Cougars chances. I think it will be 10 point margin of victory for either team so it's important for the Cougs to play well in the clutch. It will be entertaining to watch.

 

[Cougsocal]

Not to rain on the parade, but this is a bad bad match up for our defense. Let's not forget have been owned by the two tight end run game. And we still don't have the 300+# beef at DT needed to shut it down. The best speed defense we have had since the Price days gave up 340 to these guys on the ground. They kicked our arse despite passing for less than 100 yards. Perfect for Dylan Morris.

 

[CougPatrol]

Not to rain on the parade, but this is a bad bad match up for our defense. Let's not forget have been owned by the two tight end run game. And we still don't have the 300+# beef at DT needed to shut it down. The best speed defense we have had since the Price days gave up 340 to these guys on the ground. They kicked our arse despite passing for less than 100 yards. Perfect for Dylan Morris.

What’s a bad matchup for our defense? UW? I’m sorry, but like Hell it is. It’s a great matchup for us. Probably the best matchup in the conference outside of Arizona.

UW is the most one dimensional offense in the conference. They haven’t had a single game this season where they’ve gone off offensively. My God, they had 300 yards against Arizona and couldn’t move the ball at all against Stanford, Oregon St, or Montana.

We may not beat them, but if we don’t, it’s not because of our matchup against their offense. Their program is circling the drain, and they’re not going to be able to conjure up an offense between now and next week.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

recent margins of defeat in the AC:
18
13
27
28
35
18
10

I would offer that 7 or less would be considered a "close game", 10-14 would be a decisive loss/ victory, and anything more than 17 would be a blowout (not sure on this one... just spitballing).

That would mean that we've had two decisive losses and 5 blow out losses to the mutts in the last 7 years. Those include years that UW "wasn't good" and WSU supposedly was. I would argue that most of CML's tenure Coug nation thought they had a good chance to beat UW save one or two years.

We have been proven to be a one trick pony, and even if that pony is performing it isn't a guaranteed win. So for me, the AC comes down to - does JDL (/ OL) show up and make plays, and can the team be positive in the turnover margin? If both of those things happen I believe we have a chance to win what will still be a close game.

 

[79COUG]

Having a staff who makes adjustments during the game is something that we were sorely lacking during Leach's tenure and it manifested itself every AC.
There's a reason for those margins of victory you listed... and it had little to do with the talent gap.

 

[froropmkr72]

Having a staff who makes adjustments during the game is something that we were sorely lacking during Leach's tenure and it manifested itself every AC.
There's a reason for those margins of victory you listed... and it had little to do with the talent gap.

Colorado say' s F'U"

 

[FnuLnu]

Having a staff who makes adjustments during the game is something that we were sorely lacking during Leach's tenure and it manifested itself every AC.
There's a reason for those margins of victory you listed... and it had little to do with the talent gap.

So how many players in the NFL?

UW 27

WSU 5

 

[425cougfan]

Man, UW is holding on nearly every play in this Colorado game. Rarely called.

 

[79COUG]

So how many players in the NFL?

UW 27

WSU 5

Yea, you're right. Shit, we probably shouldn't even bother to field a team Friday. I mean it's obvious that the team with a history of sending more players to the league than the other will always win.
Coaching has nothing to do with how a team performs. If you have better players all you have to do is show up.

 

[Coug-Vandal]

The Huskies turned the ball over 4 times today. Despite having a 2-1 advantage in time of possession they still managed to lose 20-17. They don't seem to have big play explosiveness and our defense has been opportunistic all year. I like our chances.
I'll be there--hope it isn't too wet.

 

[FnuLnu]

Yea, you're right. Shit, we probably shouldn't even bother to field a team Friday. I mean it's obvious that the team with a history of sending more players to the league than the other will always win.
Coaching has nothing to do with how a team performs. If you have better players all you have to do is show up.

Your initial post said WSU had more talent which of course they don't.

 

[Coug1990]

Yea, you're right. Shit, we probably shouldn't even bother to field a team Friday. I mean it's obvious that the team with a history of sending more players to the league than the other will always win.
Coaching has nothing to do with how a team performs. If you have better players all you have to do is show up.

I know you are being sarcastic, but it is absolutely true. 90% is the Jimmy's and Joe's, 10% is the X's and O's.

 

[79COUG]

Your initial post said WSU had more talent which of course they don't.

I should have said we are a better TEAM. We play together as a unit better and are much better at taking advantage of our opportunities.
Individual talent? No, probably not across the board.
A better team? Yes. Absolutely.

 

[HHusky]

As a leader in temporary staffing, Robert Half is really missing out by not trying to get in on this year’s Apple Cup.

Score: UW 5 - WSU 4

You heard it here first.

 

[Coug90]

recent margins of defeat in the AC:
18
13
27
28
35
18
10

I would offer that 7 or less would be considered a "close game", 10-14 would be a decisive loss/ victory, and anything more than 17 would be a blowout (not sure on this one... just spitballing).

That would mean that we've had two decisive losses and 5 blow out losses to the mutts in the last 7 years. Those include years that UW "wasn't good" and WSU supposedly was. I would argue that most of CML's tenure Coug nation thought they had a good chance to beat UW save one or two years.

We have been proven to be a one trick pony, and even if that pony is performing it isn't a guaranteed win. So for me, the AC comes down to - does JDL (/ OL) show up and make plays, and can the team be positive in the turnover margin? If both of those things happen I believe we have a chance to win what will still be a close game.

All 7 of those numbers mean squat. We haven’t played them in 2 years. New rosters new coaches. Means absolutely nothing. We could come out and beat them like a drum and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit.

 

[Coug90]

As a leader in temporary staffing, Robert Half is really missing out by not trying to get in on this year’s Apple Cup.

Score: UW 5 - WSU 4

You heard it here first.

I’m pretty sure UW won’t come out with 3 lineman and 8 DBs this time and if they do I’m pretty sure we won’t beat our heads into the wall and throw it into quadruple coverage for 60 minutes - Borgintosh will have 250 yards rushing.
In all likelihood it will be close but more likely in the 27-24 kinda range.

 

[COCoug]

One of the intangibles has been the weather. The Air Raid and all of the CML teams were really not equipped for crappy, cold weather. What we saw last night was a throw-back to the days when the Cougs played well in cold, wet, snowy weather. It going to be a mess next Friday, and I think we will be fine.

 

[CougPatrol]

One of the intangibles has been the weather. The Air Raid and all of the CML teams were really not equipped for crappy, cold weather. What we saw last night was a throw-back to the days when the Cougs played well in cold, wet, snowy weather. It going to be a mess next Friday, and I think we will be fine.

It might be wet, but it’s not expected to be nasty at all. High of 52, Low of 46.

 

[couginphx]

One X factor for this AC, is It's likely Sam Huard will start at QB for them. Morris is gawd awful and would prefer the known to the unknown of Huard and any jolt of energy his presence could bring.

Ironic part, Huard cut his teeth in HS playing Mike leach air raid QB offensive football with a loaded receiving core around him. Maybe getting hit a few times will rattle him, but who knows.

 

[CougPatrol]

One X factor for this AC, is It's likely Sam Huard will start at QB for them. Morris is gawd awful and would prefer the known to the unknown of Huard and any jolt of energy his presence could bring.

Ironic part, Huard cut his teeth in HS playing Mike leach air raid QB offensive football with a loaded receiving core around him. Maybe getting hit a few times will rattle him, but who knows.

I hope he does start. That’s the not the game you want to line up a true freshman in. They’re getting some key injured players back. We won’t have an easy time with them.

 

[KRUSTYtheCOUG]

It just seems to me that you have to go back to '97 to find the last time we won this game when we either have more to lose or something to lose in greater proportion to them.

And I also recall most of those games where we were favored seeing the huskies come out and play their absolute best game of the season.

I fully expect UW to put together a performance unlike and better than any of their previous games this year leaving us all to wonder "where the hell has THIS team been all year"?!?

I have far too much scar tissue to have any confidence in this game is all I have to say about that.

 

[M-I-Coug]

The Huskies turned the ball over 4 times today. Despite having a 2-1 advantage in time of possession they still managed to lose 20-17. They don't seem to have big play explosiveness and our defense has been opportunistic all year. I like our chances.
I'll be there--hope it isn't too wet.

Did you know? Half price on all concessions, all food including beer, the first hour they open. Yes, they sell beer all throughout the stadium.

However, if you're tailgating, then never mind. On the Oregon game, we took the train from Northgate right into Husky Stadium. Also, Husky Stadium is cashless. Your cash means nothing. Everything, including all food and beverages are on your card.

Funny, they don't even check tickets at the Light Rail station. It's 100% an honor system. $5.00 round trip.

I think they'll be more COUGS there than purple. Of course, I'm kidding, but there will be a lot of Husky no shows.

 

[79COUG]

Did you know? Half price on all concessions, all food including beer, the first hour they open. Yes, they sell beer all throughout the stadium.

However, if you're tailgating, then never mind. On the Oregon game, we took the train from Northgate right into Husky Stadium. Also, Husky Stadium is cashless. Your cash means nothing. Everything, including all food and beverages are on your card.

Funny, they don't even check tickets at the Light Rail station. It's 100% an honor system. $5.00 round trip.

I think they'll be more COUGS there than purple. Of course, I'm kidding, but there will be a lot of Husky no shows.

To quote one your neighbors MI, the great Steve Miller, "Your cash ain't nothing but trash"...

 

[Coug90]

Did you know? Half price on all concessions, all food including beer, the first hour they open. Yes, they sell beer all throughout the stadium.

However, if you're tailgating, then never mind. On the Oregon game, we took the train from Northgate right into Husky Stadium. Also, Husky Stadium is cashless. Your cash means nothing. Everything, including all food and beverages are on your card.

Funny, they don't even check tickets at the Light Rail station. It's 100% an honor system. $5.00 round trip.

I think they'll be more COUGS there than purple. Of course, I'm kidding, but there will be a lot of Husky no shows.

Considering how many alumni there are in Seattle and how done with this season UW fans are, there should be more Cougs than UW, but most would rather watch on their 70” high def from the comfort of their living room unfortunately.

 

[COUGinNCW]

Considering how many alumni there are in Seattle and how done with this season UW fans are, there should be more Cougs than UW, but most would rather watch on their 70” high def from the comfort of their living room unfortunately.

The irony of 20K empty seats in Husky Stadium with the Cougs playing for the PacN title within minutes of the largest (by a mile)Coug alumni base around when there is constant bitching of how poorly Eastern Wa/Spokane supports WSU.

 

[Coug90]

The irony of 20K empty seats in Husky Stadium with the Cougs playing for the PacN title within minutes of the largest (by a mile)Coug alumni base around when there is constant bitching of how poorly Eastern Wa/Spokane supports WSU.

100%. Now you do have to also consider that there’s plenty of UW alum that would rather eat the $200 than sell their tix to Cougs. But for the most part if you are a Coug on the west side, this is about as easy as it gets for tix to the AC at UDump. I’m leaving the wee hours Friday from Spokane with my shoulder in a sling cuz every yell adds up and I don’t want to not be there when we finally end this damn curse.

 

[95coug]

The irony of 20K empty seats in Husky Stadium with the Cougs playing for the PacN title within minutes of the largest (by a mile)Coug alumni base around when there is constant bitching of how poorly Eastern Wa/Spokane supports WSU.

If I’m coaching this team, we’re not playing for the pacN. We’re playing for the Apple cup. That should be enough, and that’s what we can control.

 

[79COUG]

If I’m coaching this team, we’re not playing for the pacN. We’re playing for the Apple cup. That should be enough, and that’s what we can control.

Exactly. My biggest complaint with Leach. He didn't view the fact that it was The Apple Cup as a motivating factor.

 

[COUGinNCW]

If I’m coaching this team, we’re not playing for the pacN. We’re playing for the Apple cup. That should be enough, and that’s what we can control.

Agree. But regardless there will still be a ton of empty seats for a huge game and Coug fans will continue to bitch about how poorly Eastern Wa. Supports WSU.

 

[Cougsocal]

What’s a bad matchup for our defense? UW? I’m sorry, but like Hell it is. It’s a great matchup for us. Probably the best matchup in the conference outside of Arizona.

UW is the most one dimensional offense in the conference. They haven’t had a single game this season where they’ve gone off offensively. My God, they had 300 yards against Arizona and couldn’t move the ball at all against Stanford, Oregon St, or Montana.

We may not beat them, but if we don’t, it’s not because of our matchup against their offense. Their program is circling the drain, and they’re not going to be able to conjure up an offense between now and next week.

When exactly have we done well on defense against the two tight end offense? We are 0-7, and 0-5 with with speed D against the UW. While the UW are in free fall no doubt, the box count match up with speed D against a balanced two TE offense is 8+ and you must cover TEs. Granted this is the worst UW running attack we have faced in a long time, but how did we lose to Utah State, BYU, Utah - they power run gamed US down the stretch. We beat OSU, but gave up 308 on the ground in doing so. If you aren't worried by more than 2100 pounds lining up to run the ball over our less than 1100 pound front 4, you must be on Xanax and forgotten that the most lob sided Apple Cup era hasn't ended yet.

 

[CougPatrol]

When exactly have we done well on defense against the two tight end offense? We are 0-7, and 0-5 with with speed D against the UW. While the UW are in free fall no doubt, the box count match up with speed D against a balanced two TE offense is 8+ and you must cover TEs. Granted this is the worst UW running attack we have faced in a long time, but how did we lose to Utah State, BYU, Utah - they power run gamed US down the stretch. We beat OSU, but gave up 308 on the ground in doing so. If you aren't worried by more than 2100 pounds lining up to run the ball over our less than 1100 pound front 4, you must be on Xanax and forgotten that the most lob sided Apple Cup era hasn't ended yet.

I’m not the least bit concerned about past Apple Cups. Our defense held up well at Utah, at ASU, at Cal, vs. OSU, and vs. BYU. UW’s offense is a crumb compared to all of those teams. They don’t score more than 21 points against anyone. They’ll get their rushing yards, but it won’t result in points.

I understand that you’re shell shocked from the ghosts of Apple Cups past. So am I, but that has no bearing on this game. If we lose, it’s because we turn the ball over and go stagnant on offense. That’s the only way.

 

[Coug90]

When exactly have we done well on defense against the two tight end offense? We are 0-7, and 0-5 with with speed D against the UW. While the UW are in free fall no doubt, the box count match up with speed D against a balanced two TE offense is 8+ and you must cover TEs. Granted this is the worst UW running attack we have faced in a long time, but how did we lose to Utah State, BYU, Utah - they power run gamed US down the stretch. We beat OSU, but gave up 308 on the ground in doing so. If you aren't worried by more than 2100 pounds lining up to run the ball over our less than 1100 pound front 4, you must be on Xanax and forgotten that the most lob sided Apple Cup era hasn't ended yet.

A. Past apple cups mean nothing. B. UW is running at a 3.5 YPA clip. They are not in the same neighborhood as Utah, Or, BYU, OSU as far as running the ball. C. We defended Utah just fine with similar QB play as UW is getting now, our offense lost us that game without our starting QB. D. All of the other teams we probably beat if their QB options were as bad as UWs. I’m not worried about UWs offense vs our defense I’m more worried about JDL making good decisions. Only way we lose this game is if he is giving the ball away. He plays well we win going away.

 

[Cougsocal]

Having a staff who makes adjustments during the game is something that we were sorely lacking during Leach's tenure and it manifested itself every AC.
There's a reason for those margins of victory you listed... and it had little to do with the talent gap.

While you can't defend the worst Apple Cup coach ever, we have lost, in part, because the UW has 11 DBs in the NFL and more than 40 overall. Their has been big talent gap, let's not kid ourselves. Leach contributed to the losses with down playing the game, inflexibility and not doing what it took to turn bottom rung recruiting into upper division, despite 10 of millions spent to do just that.

 

[M-I-Coug]

For those who may not know, if you're coming to the game on Friday... the next day on Saturday, WSU at UW Volleyball, day after AC.

 

[TSKCoug]

Count it as a loss, and get ready for the Cheez-It Bowl or whatever it will be at the end of the year. If lightning strikes and the Cougs actually win the Apple Cup this year, then so much the better.

 

[Coug1990]

While you can't defend the worst Apple Cup coach ever, we have lost, in part, because the UW has 11 DBs in the NFL and more than 40 overall. Their has been big talent gap, let's not kid ourselves. Leach contributed to the losses with down playing the game, inflexibility and not doing what it took to turn bottom rung recruiting into upper division, despite 10 of millions spent to do just that.

Unfortunately, one of our greatest runs in history came at the same time of one of the greatest runs in uw history. Yes, in the Apple Cup, WSU should have taken advantage and ran more when the uw only had three lineman on the field, and dropped eight. Against any other team, it probably would not have made any difference. Against the uw with the lineman, and DB's they were putting in the NFL at the time, it was a guaranteed loss. Although, I still believe if not for a freak snow storm, WSU beats the uw when Minshew was there.

Unfortunately when it came to recruiting, Leach did not do a good enough job replacing the coaches that left like Simmons, Manning, Mastro, Salave'a, etc.

 

[Cougsocal]

A. Past apple cups mean nothing. B. UW is running at a 3.5 YPA clip. They are not in the same neighborhood as Utah, Or, BYU, OSU as far as running the ball. C. We defended Utah just fine with similar QB play as UW is getting now, our offense lost us that game without our starting QB. D. All of the other teams we probably beat if their QB options were as bad as UWs. I’m not worried about UWs offense vs our defense I’m more worried about JDL making good decisions. Only way we lose this game is if he is giving the ball away. He plays well we win going away.

A. B. They do, if they do the same things that has dominated the game in the past, and you assume that doesn't really matter "this year," and you must intentionally ignore that Utah State also ran it down our throat in the fourth quarter for your analysis to make sense. Only once this season has Utah State done better on the ground. They managed only 98 yards against terrible New Mexico State. The same thing with BYU, Oregon State, Utah. They all had second season best ground games against us. Why should the UW be any different?