The upcoming Apple Cup between the Washington State Cougars and Washington Huskies is set for September 14 at Lumen Field, marking the first time the rivals meet in nonconference play since 1962. Both teams are off to strong 2-0 starts, with Washington leading the rivalry historically at 73-32-6. Washington coach Jedd Fisch emphasized the heightened energy and competitiveness typical of rivalry games, despite the change in conference affiliations. Meanwhile, AI predictions favor the Cougars, who have a strong recent record against the Huskies and have been performing well as underdogs. In broader college football news, the impending 12-team playoff format could create unintended advantages for lower-ranked teams, as top teams like Ohio State and Georgia may face tougher paths without division play. Additionally, the Pac-12 is reportedly seeking to expand by adding Mountain West schools, aiming to reach the NCAA's required minimum for conference membership.