Washington State opens the season as a 24-point underdog in Seattle, and the Apple Cup has never arrived this early on the calendar. The 118th meeting between the schools kicks off at 4:00 PM ET on Sunday at Husky Stadium, with No. 17 Washington installed as a heavy home favorite. The number has climbed steadily since spring, the total has ticked up a point, and the public is piling onto the visitor. Below is the full breakdown of the line, the total, and where we land on both.
Last Updated: Sunday, September 6, 2026
Washington State vs. Washington — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium, Seattle WA |
| When | Sunday, September 6 – 4:00 PM ET |
| TV | NBC |
Washington State vs. Washington Betting Preview
Washington went 9-4 last season and closed it by beating Boise State 38-10 in the LA Bowl. Jedd Fisch is in his third year, and the Huskies opened at No. 17 in the preseason AP Top 25. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. returns as a dual-threat starter and a team captain. That continuity at the game’s most important position is the single biggest reason this number sits where it does.
Washington is not standing still, however. Receiver Denzel Boston and running back Jonah Coleman both left for the NFL, and the backfield is now a rotation rather than a bell cow. Offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty departed in February, and Fisch confirmed he would not hire a replacement, taking over playcalling himself. That is a real variable in an opener, even for a favorite this large.
Washington State arrives in a much deeper transition. The Cougars finished 7-6 and beat Utah State 34-21 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, then lost their head coach. Kirby Moore takes over for his first season, and the roster turned over heavily through the transfer portal. Washington State’s own season preview counts 50 new players on the roster, including 29 transfers from four-year schools.
Caden Pinnick makes his first start in crimson and gray. He arrives from UC Davis, where he earned FCS Freshman All-America honors, and he steps into a brand-new system. The Cougars did rebuild their defensive front through the portal with older bodies, and that unit is the most likely source of resistance.
The series matters here too. Washington leads it comfortably and won 59-24 in Pullman last September. Still, Washington State won 24-19 at Lumen Field in 2024 and 40-13 in Seattle in 2021. This rivalry has been streaky, which is what makes a 24-point number worth examining.
Washington State vs. Washington Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington State | +24 (-115) | +950 | U 51.5 (-115) |
| Washington | -24 (-105) | -2000 | O 51.5 (-105) |
Odds accurate as of Sunday, September 6, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NCAAF Odds – Futures – Props
Washington State vs. Washington — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Washington State | 73% | 27% | Washington |
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Washington State vs. Washington Prediction — Is the Public Chasing the Wrong Side of a Big Number?
Start with the movement, because it tells a clean story. Washington opened at -21.5 in late May. The number was repriced to -23.5 in late August and now sits at -24. That is two and a half points added to the favorite. Meanwhile, 73 percent of spread tickets are on the underdog. When a line moves toward the side taking the minority of tickets, the market is telling you something the ticket count is not.
The situational profile lines up with the move. Washington State is starting a first-time Power Four quarterback, in a road opener, in front of a hostile crowd, running an offense a new staff installed over the summer. Openers punish exactly that combination. Washington, by contrast, returns its starting quarterback, brings back captains on the offensive line, and holds a clear size advantage up front. The Huskies also won last year’s meeting by 35 points with much of this same core.
The case against laying this many is not trivial. Rivalry games routinely defy form, and this one produced Cougars wins in Seattle in two of the last three trips. Washington also lost its two most productive skill players and is breaking in a new playcaller. Backdoor covers are common when a favorite empties the bench late. We looked at a similar Week 1 pricing question in our Texas State vs. Texas preview.
The Pick: Washington -24 (-105)
Washington State vs. Washington Prediction — Can a Brand-New Offense Keep Pace?
The total opened at 50.5 and has moved to 51.5. That single point matters less than what the number implies. A 24-point spread on a 51.5 total prices this game at roughly 38-14, which already assumes Washington State struggles to move the ball. Getting there requires the Cougars to put up two scores against a defense that returns experienced pieces at linebacker and safety.
There is a real path to the Over. Last year’s meeting produced 83 points, and garbage-time scoring is a genuine risk with this kind of projected gap. The counterweight is game script. A favorite this large that builds an early lead leans on the run, and Washington’s committee backfield is built to do that. A first-time starter is also a recipe for third-and-long and short possessions. For another West Coast opener with a similar shape, see our Boise State vs. Oregon preview.
The Pick: Under 51.5 (-115)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
One more split is worth noting. While 73 percent of spread tickets sit on Washington State, only 27 percent back Washington, and the moneyline tells the opposite story with the overwhelming majority on the home side. Bettors want the points but do not believe in the outright result. That pattern is common on large spreads and is usually where public money is least informed.
We are not adding a third position. Washington State at +950 is a lottery ticket the series history makes tempting, but a first start behind a rebuilt line is not a foundation for an outright play. Both of our positions lean the same direction: Washington controls the line of scrimmage, and the Cougars’ offense needs time this staff has not had. If Pinnick is sharp early, both picks are in trouble at once. Size accordingly.
All picks for Washington State vs. Washington: Washington -24 (-105) and Under 51.5 (-115).
NCAAF Washington State vs. Washington FAQ: Sunday September 6, 2026
What time does the Washington State vs. Washington game start?
Kickoff is 4:00 PM ET on Sunday, September 6, 2026, which is 1:00 PM local time in Seattle. Both athletic departments list the same window. It is the season opener for both programs, and it is the first time the rivalry has been scheduled as an opening-weekend game.
What channel is the Washington State vs. Washington game on?
The Apple Cup airs on NBC, with Paul Burmeister, Yogi Roth and Zora Stephenson on the call. Radio coverage runs on the Washington Sports Network and the Cougar Sports Network. NBC’s broadcast is the only national television window for this game on Sunday afternoon.
Where are Washington State and Washington playing?
The game is at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington, which seats 72,132. Washington is the home team. The rivalry rotates between Seattle and Pullman under the schools’ current scheduling agreement, and last season’s meeting was played in Pullman.
How can I stream the Washington State vs. Washington game?
The game streams on Peacock, which carries NBC’s college football coverage. It is also available through live television services that include NBC, such as Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV. A cable or streaming login is required for most of those options.
Who is starting at quarterback for Washington State and Washington?
Caden Pinnick starts for Washington State and Demond Williams Jr. starts for Washington. Pinnick is a redshirt sophomore who transferred from UC Davis, where he earned FCS Freshman All-America honors. Williams returns as Washington’s starter and a team captain after a productive dual-threat season in 2025.