PULLMAN, Wash. — It is just the second week of September, but it is Apple Cup week in the Pacific Northwest as the Washington State Cougars are preparing to take on the hated Washington Huskies Saturday at Lumen Field in Seattle.
Even though it is just week three of the season, WSU head coach Jake Dickert says his team will be ready for everything this rivalry game challenge will bring Saturday.
"Obviously our guys will be really excited to play, I think they know what is on the line, it is an opportunity to be 1-0 and to get the Apple Cup back in Pullman. It is a big deal, it always has been and always will be and I think we are battle tested and we are war ready," Dickert said.
The Cougs will face a much different looking Husky team from the one that defeated WSU on a game winning field goal on the final week of the regular season last year.
"I give credit to Coach Fisch. In a short period of time, he has really reloaded the talent on that roster. I think it is going to be an extremely tight and physical football game," Dickert said.
The Huskies feature a brand new offensive attack led by quarterback Will Rogers and former Arizona running back Jonah Coleman.
"On offense, Coach Fisch is an extremely great play caller and play designer. The quarterback is a 3,000 yard passer in the SEC and has seen it all, Coleman is one of the top tailbacks in the country and obviously the wide receivers and skill players are really dangerous and they showed it in that last game with a bunch of big plays and defensively, they probably have one of the best play callers in all of football (Steve Belichick)," Dickert said.
Coach Dickert and his players know the emotions Saturday will bring, but they are focused on going 1-0 against a faceless opponent.
"You can't just be all toughness and no technique when you get into a rivalry game. It can't just be all piss and vinegar and I forget what I am supposed to do. When you are in that moment, channel that energy, make sureyour energy dial is right and you are never too high or too low regardless if it is going right or wrong throughout the course of that game and make sure you are in that moment every moment. That is how you win big football games," Dickert said.
"Rivalry games are always personal, but it is our third opportunity to represent the team that we built. This time it is going to be in an NFL stadium, which is going to be different and I am really excited to go over to that city and get it done," WSU redshirt junior offensive lineman Devin Kylany said.
The Cougs and Huskies will kick it off at Lumen Field at 12:30 pm on Saturday. You can watch the game on Peacock.
