When we discussed the Big Ten versus Pac-12 football game between Oregon and Oregon State in Week 3, we opened by saying the following: “Welcome to this weird, new world we have in 2024 college football. This is a world in which Oregon versus Oregon State is a nonconference game for both teams, played in September. Usually, this would be a Pac-12 football game played at the end of the season in late November just after Thanksgiving Day. Now it’s being played early in the season in a completely different set of weather conditions. Technically, Oregon versus Oregon State — this classic Pacific Northwest rivalry — is now a game on the Big Ten football schedule.” Everything we said about Oregon versus Oregon State also applies to Washington versus Washington State.
That’s right: Washington versus Washington State is a nonconference game. It’s the Big Ten versus the Pac-12. It’s the Apple Cup, only in September instead of late November, in late summer instead of the middle of autumn. Conditions will be warm instead of soggy and cold. It’s a weird, wild, crazy change to a traditional West Coast and Pac-12 college football rivalry. The only thing about this game — in Week 3 summer conditions — which will feel normal is the hatred both sides have for each other. That much will remain the same. So much else will be different. Neither side will be playing for a spot in the Rose Bowl or the Pac-12 Championship Game, and neither side will be playing spoiler, either. This all feels so bizarre, even surreal, but we know a game will be played. Our West Coast Big Ten football panel has picks for this game, and we have some split opinions on our panel this time, as you will see below:
ZAC NEEL, DUCKS WIRE — WASHINGTON STATE BEATS WASHINGTON
DON SMALLEY, DUCKS WIRE — WASHINGTON STATE WINS
ROMAN TOMASHOFF, UW HUSKIES WIRE — WASHINGTON WINS
MATT WADLEIGH, UCLA WIRE — WASHINGTON STATE WINS
TIM PRANGLEY, TROJANS WIRE — WASHINGTON WINS
MATT ZEMEK, TROJANS WIRE — WASHINGTON STATE WINS
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Big Ten and Pac-12 football picks for Washington-Washington State
