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Huskies Heavy Favorites as 118th Apple Cup Opens 2026 Season at Husky Stadium

The NBC national kickoff spot highlights program shifts in coaching, heavy transfer turnover, conference realignment.

Overview

  • The 118th Apple Cup will kick off Sunday, Sept. 6, at 4 p.m. ET (1 p.m. PT) at Husky Stadium and will air nationally on NBC with streaming available on Peacock, fubo and DIRECTV.
  • Pre-game betting markets listed Washington as a large favorite, with reported spreads near 23.5 points and a lopsided moneyline that reflected broad expectations for a Huskies win.
  • Washington enters under coach Jedd Fisch with quarterback Demond Williams returning as the program’s established starter.
  • Washington State begins coach Kirby Moore’s first season with UC Davis transfer Caden Pinnick slated to start and a near-30-player transfer overhaul reshaping the roster.
  • The season-opening rivalry game spotlights how conference moves and roster turnover are changing the Apple Cup’s future and the day-to-day stakes for players, coaches and fans across Washington.