Washington has had a solid start to the season, and will look to continue its momentum against in-state rivals, Washington State.

The Huskies (2-0) and the Cougars (2-1) will play in the Apple Cup at 4:30 p.m. PT at Martin Stadium in Pullman, Wash.

Washington will enter the showdown coming off a bye week, and Washington State will look to bounce back after losing 59-10 against North Texas on Sept. 13.

The Huskies will enter the Apple Cup with one of the most efficient rushing attacks in the country. Senior running back Jonah Coleman won back-to-back Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week awards and led the country with seven rushing touchdowns through Week 2 to go with 288 rushing yards. Washington has totaled 607 rushing yards on 97 carries with 12 touchdowns.

Washington has also stayed consistent under center. Sophomore quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has completed 69.4% of his passes (34-for-49) for 480 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He's also tacked on 132 yards and a touchdown on 21 carried on the ground.

The Huskies offense has been consistent through two weeks against Colorado State and UC Davis. The Cougs have more questions to their roster than their cross-state rivals.

Sophomore Jaxon Potter, senior Zevi Eckhaus and freshman Julian Dugger competed before the season to determine Washington State's starting quarterback.

Potter earned the nod as the starter for the first three weeks against Idaho, San Diego and North Texas. He completed 70.5% of his passes (67-for-95) for 604 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. All three of his picks came in the Cougars' loss against the Mean Green.

Potter went 16-for-23 for 139 yards and no touchdowns in addition to his three picks. 

Following Potter's poor showing against North Texas, Cougars head coach Jimmy Rogers said that the competition is back open for this week leading to the Apple Cup.

Rogers also offered an assessment on all three potential starters:

"Julian's got to progress through his decision-making process as far as not just premeditating his throws. He knows this," Rogers said in a news conference Sept. 15. " ... Zevi, some of the decisions there. He's got to hit those open throws. For him, that's kind of been the thing. But as far as his command of the offense, it's there. His leadership is there, his work ethic is there. And he gives us a little bit of flexibility with his feet. ... And Potter has to improve his decision-making. He has done a great job in two games of putting the ball in tight windows. But at some point, you have to be able to see the coverage."

Eckhaus went 7-for-10 for 72 yards against the Mean Green and Dugger went 0-for-2.

The Apple Cup will be broadcast on CBS. Washington State won the last iteration of the Apple Cup with a score of 24-19 on Sept. 14, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle. Technically not the home field of the Huskies, but still in their backyard

Washington will be looking to return the favor this season.