No. 6 Washington tops No. 23 Washington State 45-17

He was out of coaching in 2010 and ’11.

Every Apple Cup may be fun, but over a century of games show that Friday is a day to savor more than nearly any other in the history of a storied rivalry.

It partly has to do with his affinity for pirates, Geronimo and Key West.

It was a dramatic game, and it was also a game that should make everyone appreciate this Friday even more.

But if identity doesn’t change, it can evolve.

Eight years after this matchup was mocked because of how bad the two teams were, the Apple Cup was back on a stage of national relevance and regarded by many fans as the most important matchup of the 109 meetings. If Colorado beats the beaten up Utes in a sold out night game at Folsom Field, they play the victor of the Apple Cup, the annual rivalry between Washington and Washington State (1:30 pm, Friday, Fox Sports). With five interceptions and 10 pass deflections so far on the year he has been an excellent ballhawking safety, showing good instincts over the middle of the field.

Smith-Schuster, whose mother is Samoan, was among four finalists from the Pac-12 previous year when Notre Dame offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley won the award. “Now we’re making defenses have to prepare for us”.

Washington’s pass rush was quiet for weeks, but had six sacks last week against Arizona State. USC completely dominated the Huskies in all phases of the game, and despite USC’s improvement throughout the year, this is still the team that lost to Alabama 52-6. Whether you like it or not, the game plan will revolve around Falk distributing the ball well and taking his shots downfield when (or if) the defense opens up.

Mastro said, “It was tough”. “It was an intense battle and we’re obviously happy that we got him”. The run was an afterthought back then. As it is, the Cougars’ third loss – the FCS loss to Eastern Washington – destroys their New Year’s Six chances if they fail to win the Pac-12 outright.

Yet because this is an Air Raid team, the pass – and in particular a passer – is still crucial to the big picture. This is only the 20 time that Washington and Washington State teams will meet in seasons in which they’ll both finish with winning records. The matchup of quarterbacks Jake Browning of the Huskies and Luke Falk of the Cougars should be fascinating. “It’s not a coincidence at all”. The whole thing seems broken.

What happened next was crippling for the Cougars. On USC’s first possession, Darnold marched the ball down the field connecting with his receivers easily, until pressure from Washington linebacker Keishawn Bierria forced Darnold into making a wobbling throw that was intercepted by Washington’s freshman safety Taylor Rapp.

On Friday, Leach said it was “several people’s call” to allow Tago to play. “It is what they know”. They have not played Colorado. Washington beat Washington State 45-17. The defense has also made strides during Leach’s tenure, especially after the hire of coordinator Alex Grinch prior to the 2015 season.

W. MI 55, Toledo 35 – Corey Davis and the No. 14 Broncos wrapped up an undefeated regular season in style, routing the Rockets (9-3, 6-2) in Kalamazoo, Mich., to secure a berth in next week’s Mid-American Conference championship game.

But Friday’s opponent, Washington, is second in the FBS in turnovers generated per defensive possession and points scored per offensive possession. Texas A&M failed to convert on fourth-and-4 to give the Tigers the ball back and Guice got to the end zone again, this time on a 6-yard run, to make it 34-10. It is that extreme. Redshirt junior running back Jamal Morrow brought a 64-yard punt return within feet of the goal line only for the offense to come up empty. Had Wazzu not lost to Eastern Washington, its only defeats would have been good ones, similar to what Wisconsin has forged with two close losses against Ohio State and MI.