SEATTLE — The Apple Cup, the long-standing rivalry between the Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars, moves into uncharted territory Sunday as the 118th edition will be played on a Sunday in September for the first time and broadcast in a national window on NBC.
Historic rivalry, new calendar
The matchup dates to 1900 and for decades was tied to the Thanksgiving calendar. That changed after Washington joined the Big Ten and the renewed scheduling realities made the contest a nonconference game played earlier in the fall. This year’s kickoff at Husky Stadium will begin at 1 p.m. and carry the full national attention of a broadcast window with no other college games scheduled at the same time.
Washington continues to hold a commanding lead in the all-time series, leading 77-34-6. Recent meetings at Husky Stadium have been split: Washington State won 40-13 in 2021, and Washington claimed a 24-21 victory in 2023. Last season, the teams traded decisive results—the Huskies beat the Cougars 59-24 in Pullman in 2025, while WSU returned the favor with a 24-19 win for Washington at Lumen Field in 2024.
Kirby Moore’s debut and roster overhaul in Pullman
The Cougars will take the field under first-year head coach Kirby Moore, who was hired on Dec. 12 to replace the previous staff. Moore inherits a WSU program that finished 7-6 in 2025 and closed the season with a 34-21 victory over Utah State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Moore’s first offseason has been consequential. The roster arriving in 2026 looks markedly different: the program added 50 new players, including 29 transfer acquisitions. That turnover reflects an aggressive push to reshape the roster quickly as WSU enters a new era in the Pac-12.
Caden Pinnick to start at quarterback
One of the most significant arrivals is the Cougars’ projected starting quarterback, Caden Pinnick, who transferred to WSU in January after a standout freshman season at UC Davis. Pinnick, a 6-foot, 192-pounder, received FCS Freshman All-America recognition after passing for 3,206 yards with 32 touchdowns and rushing for 437 yards with three rushing scores while leading the Aggies to a 9-4 record and an FCS playoff berth.
Pinnick’s dual-threat skill set gives the Cougars a new offensive identity, and much of the early attention on Moore’s WSU will focus on how quickly the new pieces coalesce in game action against a nationally ranked rival.
- Kickoff: Sunday, 1 p.m. at Husky Stadium
- TV: NBC national window
- Series lead: Washington leads all-time 77-34-6
What the Huskies bring
Washington enters the game as the preseason No. 17 team and will be looking to maintain its standing as one of the state’s premier programs despite the conference realignments that have altered many traditional rhythms. The Huskies have had the upper hand in the series overall and come into the matchup with momentum after the lopsided win in Pullman last season.
For Washington, the Apple Cup remains an opportunity to assert dominance within the state, send an early message to the rest of the country and protect home-field advantage at Husky Stadium.
Local impact and what to watch
Beyond bragging rights, the Apple Cup now carries broader implications for recruiting, local fan engagement and program narratives in both Seattle and Pullman. With the timing shift and national attention, the game could help define the early season trajectories for both teams.
Key items to watch:
- How quickly Kirby Moore’s offense operates with a largely reworked roster
- Pinnick’s transition to the FBS level against a ranked defense
- Washington’s response to an energized Cougars team seeking to reclaim the Apple Cup
Sunday’s game will offer a first glimpse into how the Apple Cup looks in this new scheduling era — and whether the changes will intensify or dilute a rivalry that has been a fixture of Washington sports for more than a century.
Grace Yun, WE NEWS.
| Series | Record |
|---|---|
| All-time (UW vs. WSU) | 77-34-6 |
