FORMER WASHINGTON STATE All-American Paul Sorensen pulled a quote from his favorite character in his favorite movie — Archibald “Moonlight” Graham from Field of Dreams — when forecasting Saturday’s Apple Cup outcome. The Cougars and Huskies kick off at 1 p.m. in Seattle on FOX, but Sorensen’s mind is on a 1989 movie starring Burt Lancaster and Kevin Costner.
“We just don’t recognize life’s most significant moments while they’re happening. Back then I thought, well, there’ll be other days. I didn’t realize that that was the only day,” Sorensen, quoting Moonlight Graham, told Cougfan.com earlier this week.
Saturday is the only day, he says. No matter that the Dawgs are 16 1/2 point favorites and eyeing a College Football Player berth. This will be THE day, he says.
“WSU is the reigning Pac-2 Champs. UW is always the preseason national champs in their minds, so Cougs win 24-20 in a repeat of the WSU Apple Cup win of 1982 victory (when an undermanned Cougar team stunned the No. 5 Huskies). Because it’s that kind of year.”
Here’s how other notable WSU alums — and a couple from UW — see Saturday’s game unfolding …
Related: 3 WSU running backs of yore recount Apple Cup glory
WSU Hall of Fame quarterback Jack Thompson: “We have to run the ball and we have to take care of the ball. And I’ll go 31-27 Cougs.”
Murrow College legend Cindy Brunson: “First off I’m so thrilled about the recently announced agreement between the rivals for 5 more years of the Apple Cup game after 2023. As for the 115th meeting between the two schools this Saturday, my upset-minded heart says Wazzu will win 31-28. WSU is playing with house money because all of the pressure is on UW to maintain its pursuit of perfection, crack the CFP top four and solidify its Heisman campaign for Michael Penix Jr. WSU won in Seattle in 2021, so the muscle memory is there for the coaching staff which is helpful as well.”
Former WSU defensive lineman Steve Cook: Throw out the records for this rivalry. It just won’t matter when you’re playing with high stakes. WSUs D will be a key as will special teams to make this game go their way. Huskies looking ahead. Cougs win in late game or in an overtime upset, 37-35.
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Former WSU linebacker Will Derting: “24-21 Cougs. In 2002, we were sitting third in nation and got beat by an unranked UW. Let us pay back UW for that game.”
Former WSU safety Erik Coleman: “We were in the same position as UW when we played the Apple Cup in ’02 when we lost at UW. It would be great if the Cougs could use the momentum from the win against Colorado to upset the Huskies and ruin their post season plans. I’ll go 41-34 WSU.”
Former WSU head coach Jim Walden: “If the Cougars play like they did early in the year and last Saturday they can win. Cougars 38-35.”
Longtime Seattle radio host and CF.C contributor Jim Moore: “It looks bleak but if I’m not mistaken, we were underdogs in 1982 when we upset the Huskies and knocked them out of the Rose Bowl. So there’s precedent at least, and if Cam Ward can play error-free football we have a shot to shock them again. Plus if football gods actually exist, they must be rooting for half of the Pac-2 and rooting hard against a dirty defector that deserves an old fashioned butt whippin’ — Cougs win 38-35.
Former WSU defensive end Mkristo Bruce: “53-48 Cougs. Shoot out on Montlake and a perfect stage to send a message.”
Former WSU head coach Bill Doba: “It’s a very special game for both teams. I love the Cougs but I don’t think they have the talent to beat those damn Huskies. I haven’t any idea what the score will be.”
Former WSU running back Max Borghi: “Coach Dickert has them tightening up screws. Bowl eligibility on the line in a big rivalry game. Obviously I’m taking the Cougs, 31-28. It’s going to be a good battle. But I always ride with my Cougs, you don’t even have to ask me about who is going to win.”
Former WSU wide receiver Calvin Jackson Jr. “Big game for the boys. These games always comes down to the team who don’t let emotion get in the way. I say WSU wins 35-24.”
WSU soccer legend Morgan Weaver: “I feel like this game is a little more personal since UW decided to leave the Pac-12. With the last ever ‘Pac-12’ game these guys should go out and give it everything they can and Coug nation is behind them. Cougs win 31-28.”
Former WSU quarterback Marshall Lobbestael: “Seeing our defensive line get after the quarterback again last week was awesome. The UW O-Line and pass protections seem more challenging than Colorado’s, but we’ll need to get after their quarterback to disrupt their passing game and get momentum. If we can create some big plays on defense with pressure and force one or two turnovers, it will be a difference maker in what is seemingly going to be a high scoring, back and forth game. We’ve been messing around with swinging gate PAT’s and field goals and it could be to make them spend time on it in practice or could be because there’s something cooking in the kicking game. Cougs win 38-34.”
Former UW running back Greg Lewis: “WSU looked good breaking out of their six-game losing skid against Colorado. Ward looked confident and was his old self but it was Colorado. The UW Cardiac Kids keep making games closer than they should be, primarily because of penalties and untimely turnovers. Lots of extra emotions will fly in this game with all the conference, legal, and blame issues going on so it will be nasty. If weather holds the Huskies are just a better team and should win semi-comfortably at home. No way they look ahead with this being the Apple Cup. Huskies 41-27.”
Former WSU head coach Dennis Erickson: “I got no clue on the score. But hopefully WSU has the same game plan as Oregon State. Chew up the clock and play good defense. The Cougars have to do that in order to have a chance. You just never know with this rivalry. Both teams have a lot on the line. And it’s great to see they will continue to play. WSU looked good last week, but the Huskies are awfully good too. You don’t go undefeated without being good. WSU is going to have to run the football to win.”
Former WSU wide receiver Devard Darling: “45-42 Cougs. We have to win the turnover battle and get a defensive score. Offensively, we need to convert over 50 percent on 3rd down and score 100 percent of the time in the red zone.”
Former UW head coach Keith Gilbertson: “I think this is going to be a real exciting game. Both teams are coming in on a high note. And I think that makes for a good looking contest. I think Washington has the edge in several areas and is playing at home. It’s a big deal and a big game for both teams. WSU has a couple of great pass rushers and their offense got right last week. But I think Washington probably has the upper hand. I’ll go about 35-25 Washington.”
Former WSU center Robbie Tobeck: “24-21 Cougs. Defense makes a big play at the end to seal the win.”
Former WSU cornerback and Super Bowl champ Jaylen Watson: 46-42 Cougs.
Former WSU wide receiver and coach Mike Levenseller: I won’t give a score prediction. But WSU has a lot of confidence back from last week. I think they showed a lot of class and ability. You hope it rains like crazy because Washington did not catch the ball real well last week. I’m hoping for bad weather, mostly because I won’t be in the stands. I think the biggest keys for WSU are tackling and not turning it over. I don’t see a blowout.
Former WSU wide receiver Michael Bumpus: Good guys get it done 35-32. Cougs are one of the only teams in the country that can throw with the Huskies. It’s going to be a tense game to see whoever makes the first big mistake. Cam and Penix put on a show but the Cougs make one more play on defense to seal it late.
Former WSU nickel Hunter Dale: I haven’t really followed football this year, but I have watched a few games from both WSU and U-Dub. Both teams are very strong on offense and defense. Obviously UW has had an outstanding year but I think my Cougs pull out the upset because rivalry games are always up in the air at the end of the year. I’m going with a high scoring game and 48-45 Cougs.
Former WSU linebacker Ivan McLennan: “This is tough. I won’t make a prediction but I will say this game will be epic. A desperate Coug vs. a hungry dog. UW was just ranked No. 4 so they are for sure trying to finish strong. Everybody is thinking about stopping Penix but the key is stopping the run. They will try to establish that early against us. Linebackers have to play big and our corners need to dominate the island.”
The winningest QB in WSU history, Luke Falk: “Cougs stun the Dawgs 42-41 and are going bowling.”
Former WSU basketball player Josh Hawkinson: “Cam Ward needs to play at an elite level in order to win. He does that and the Cougs win 34-31.”
Former WSU cornerback Derrick Langford: “35-31 Cougs. Even though Washington obviously has an good team, I feel like the Cougs will get a huge win to be bowl eligible.”
Former WSU head coach Mike Price: “Cougs pull out a close one, 35-32.”
Former WSU running back James Williams: “24-17 Cougs.”
Former WSU safety Robert Taylor: “49-48, WSU with the upset.”
WSU-WASHINGTON GAME DETAILS:
- WHERE: Husky Stadium
- KICKOFF: Saturday, 1 p.m.
- TV: Fox (Jason Benetti, Brock Huard, Allison Williams)
- RADIO: Washington State IMG Radio Network
- WEATHER FORECAST: 44 degrees, mostly sunny, light winds
- RECORDS: WSU is 5-6/2-6, Washington is 11-0/8-0
- THE SERIES: Washington leads 75-33-6
- LAST TIME: UW won 51-33 in Pullman in 2022
- ESPN matchup predictor: 11.1 percent chance WSU wins
- RANKINGS: WSU is unranked, UW is No. 5/4/4 in the AP, Coaches, CFP polls
- THE LINE: WSU is a 16.5-point underdog
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