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Apple Cup

No. 18 Washington at No. 8 Washington State
Friday, 8:30 ET, Fox

Year it began: 1900
Overall record: Washington leads 72-32-6
Past five years: Washington leads 5-0

Washington's biggest villain: Ryan Leaf said there was a joke on campus during his time at Wazzu: "What's the difference between God and Ryan Leaf? God doesn't think he's Ryan Leaf." He was brash and arrogant, and he could back it up. And in 1997 in Seattle, Leaf threw for 358 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-35 victory over the favored Huskies and was carried off the Husky Stadium field as the Cougs celebrated their first Rose Bowl berth in 67 years.

Washington State's biggest villain: Hall of Fame coach Don James, the Dawgfather, led Washington from 1975 to 1992 and was 13-5 in the Apple Cup. He also didn't mind needling his rival. "I've always felt that being a Cougar prepares you well for life," James said. "You learn not to expect too much."

Story that best explains the rivalry: In 2002, Washington State was 9-1 overall, ranked No. 3 and could clinch a Rose Bowl berth and a shot at a BCS appearance with a home-field win over a 6-5 Washington team. Wazzu QB Jason Gesser, who shared Pac-10 Player of the Year honors with USC's Carson Palmer, went down with an injury in the fourth quarter, and Washington rallied from a 20-10 deficit to tie the score and force overtime. In the third OT, Washington State backup Matt Kegel threw a short pass that was batted down by Washington's Kai Ellis, who fell on the ball afterward. After an officials' huddle, they ruled it was a backward pass and a fumble, with a Washington recovery, and the game was over, just like that. A near-riot ensued as shocked fans pelted the field with bottles, souvenirs and anything that wasn't bolted down.

Hater's guide to watching this year: This is a high-stakes Apple Cup. A win here for Wazzu would preserve the Pac-12's only hope for a College Football Playoff spot. For the third straight year the winner will win at least a share of the Pac-12 North title, and this year, the winner will face Utah in the Pac-12 title game on Nov. 30. Washington State is one of the country's biggest surprises and hottest teams, going 10-1 behind transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew, with just a three-point loss to USC as their only blemish. Washington, No. 6 in the preseason AP poll, slipped to 8-3. But Huskies coach Chris Petersen is 4-0 against the Cougars' Mike Leach, outscoring him 161-54 in those games, an average outcome of 40-14.

1992: Drew Bledsoe leads WSU to 42-23 victory in Pullman "Snow Bowl"

Love snow games,