Apple Cup

The question has been asked quite often this last week, is the Apple Cup as relevant as it used to be? I think that has got to be the dumbest question out there right now, and I feel like I should not even address it. But, alas, I have an obligation to the Husky Loyal Army to talk about the things that are out there. Yes. The answer is yes. The Apple Cup represents the battle between UW vs WSU, the Dawgs vs. the Cougs, good vs. evil, east vs. west, city vs. farm, smart vs. whatever they are. In the past this game has had some meaningful consequences to bowl games, and even more specifically the Rose Bowl, but it has always transcended those consequences. For the longest time the Dawgs would try to hold off their pesky little step brother from the other side of the state in the last game of the season before heading to a great bowl game, and those were the roles. But more than that it was a game that represented a whole season. Both teams go into the Apple Cup 0-0 and are trying to win a one-game playoff championship series.....that's it. Leading up to the game, each side of fans tries to make the other look stupid by bringing up past embarrassments, stereotypes, recent proud successes and most importantly, pointing out who won the last Apple Cup (if your team won, easy enough, if your team lost, you try and discount it as much as possible). That is the fun of the Apple Cup. Each side thinks the other is delusional and often it leads to bar fights and, now, Facebook status squabbles. What a great tradition. Who cares how bad the Cougars are this year and most every other year. They don't know that when they step on the field against their hated rivals who win more than them, it doesn't matter. When a team is playing from a lower position they have nothing to lose, and the Cougars have made a living playing from that viewpoint and it has hurt the Huskies on several occasions....you gotta love it.


This year, what are the teams playing for? Everything and nothing, just like every other Apple Cup in the past. Rarely has the Apple Cup determined which of the two teams will represent the Pac-8,10,12 in the Rose Bowl (which has more to do with the Cougars futility than anything else), which gives the game that much more cachet. These guys hate each other and are playing to beat the other team and embarrass one of the fan bases. This year is no exception. The cougars are playing for.....pride? Sure. Why not? While the Huskies are playing for a possible 9-4 season, after a bowl win, and a chance to cement their status as the premier college football team in the state. All of that doesn't matter today, though. It's about beating your rival, those idiots who you have always hated and could never stand for wanting to root for the other side. Many people will tell you this year's Apple Cup represents a lot of different things, which is fine. But let me tell you this, only one thing matters, winning the one game playoff game that determines which team can proudly raise their colors for the 364 days until the next UW/WSU game. That's the Apple Cup.

Scouting report for the game......UW wins. By a lot.

Go Dawgs!!!!