Much of the coverage leading to the 101st Apple Cup has chronicled just how bad Saturday’s pairing of Washington and Washington State really is.
So, how bad is it?
Historically bad. Unprecedentedly bad.
It not only matches the 1969 game for the fewest number of combined wins brought into an Apple Cup, but it will also stand alone as the weakest rivalry game in the history of the Pacific-10 Conference.
Since the league grew to its current size in 1978, there have been five instances where geographic rivals – UW/WSU, Arizona/Arizona State, Oregon/Oregon State, UCLA/USC and Cal/Stanford – finished ninth and 10th in the same season. The Oregon schools did it in 1981, 1982 and 1991. The Bay Area schools did it in 1988. The Washington schools did it in 2005 – and they’ll do it again this season.
However, these Huskies and Cougars bring fewer combined wins – one overall and none in the conference – than any of those earlier rivalry games.
Until now, the title of “worst Pac-10 rivalry game” belonged to the 1981 Civil War. That season, the Ducks and Beavers met with no conference wins – but each school had won a non-conference game. Oregon finally got its league win by routing OSU, 47-17.
This season, Washington State comes in with an 0-8 conference record, but a 1-10 overall record – with the win coming over Portland State of the lower-level Football Championship Subdivision. Washington is 0-7 in the league, 0-10 overall, and has a 12-game losing streak dating back to November 2007.
“It is absolutely amazing that has all happened at once,” Oregon State coach Mike Riley said. “I think our lives in football and sports, and college football in particular, can be cyclical. I think the Cougars have been a great example of that. You know the history: They went to the Rose Bowl, they went down, then (quarterback Jason) Gesser came in and they went back up. So it can be cyclical. But to see both of those teams hit the cycle at the same time is very unusual.”
The Washington schools have not only lost, but they have also lost by a lot.
UW has only one near-miss: a 28-27 loss to Brigham Young, with frustration compounded by a controversial penalty call at the end.
Washington State’s closest loss came by 25 points: 28-3 at UCLA. Among the 33 team statistical categories kept by the Pac-10, WSU ranks last in 18 and UW in four. They clog the bottom two spots in 14 categories.
“I don’t think (the Cougars) were thinking they were going to the Rose Bowl, but I don’t think they saw the type of season they’re having, and we certainly didn’t,” UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said. “But it really doesn’t matter in this thing. You take out all the records. … When it comes down to it, it’s still going to be a competitive game for them and us just because of the rivalry.”
And all those bad numbers won’t necessarily add up to a bad game.
Coaches and players from both teams have sensed renewed energy this week as the rare scent of potential victory hangs in the air.
“I think the kids definitely feel they have a chance to win the ballgame,” WSU coach Paul Wulff said. “I’m sure (the Huskies) do, too. Our kids … I know they’re excited to play. It’s fun to be part of this. And any time you know you have fun coming around the corner, you can’t help but get excited about it.”
Extra points
University of Washington officials aren’t commenting on the search for a new football coach. However, several media reports, attributed mostly to Midwest sources, say Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Haywood was in Seattle on Wednesday to interview for the job. … All UW practices this week took place in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets. … Tailback Brandon Johnson was back at practice Thursday after missing two days due to a death in the family. Coach Tyrone Willingham had said Johnson might have missed too much practice to play this week. But he said Thursday that Johnson probably will travel with the team to Pullman today. Willingham said he doesn’t know whether Johnson, Terrance Dailey or Willie Griffin will start. … Offensive tackle Ben Ossai (concussion) practiced Thursday, and Willingham said he might start.
Don Ruiz: 253-597-8808
blogs.thenewstribune.com/uwsports
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