Mike Bush is betting on Washington State’s defense and on the emotional pull of Bill Doba to tilt the Apple Cup.
The former Cougars receiver, who starred for WSU in 2001 and 2002, told Cougfan.com he sees the Cougars beating Washington 31-27 on Sunday at 1 p.m. on NBC. Bush expects a physical game and thinks WSU will make the bigger plays late.
"I'm taking WSU in this one, 31-27," Bush tells Cougfan.com. "The Cougs are going to come out with a lot of energy.
It's the Apple Cup, so I expect a physical, back-and-forth game. I think Wazzu makes a couple more plays when it matters most.
I think the Cougs' defense steps up in a big way, especially with Bill Doba on everyone's mind. I've got the defense making the plays late to help WSU pull off the upset."
Bush was one of more than 30 notable Cougs and Huskies asked to pick the game, and the responses came in all over the map. A handful of Washington State voices expect the Cougars to control it, while some former Huskies and national analysts are backing Washington in a more decisive way.
Brock Huard, the former UW quarterback now working as a FOX color commentator, picked the Huskies to win 38-13. He pointed to Jedd Fisch’s track record in Year 3 and said Washington’s physical traits should show up.
"Year 3 has been a good year for Jedd Fisch historically. There is the element of surprise game one of a new regime, but the Huskies' size, strength and speed should come to life. I'm taking UW 38-13.
Several former Cougars kept it close and leaned on defense. Paul Sorensen, a former WSU safety and CF.C contributor, had the Cougars winning 24-20 and didn’t bother hiding his feelings.
"Same score as the 1982 win in Pullman, 24-20 WSU. Just because I hate Washington.
I hate the colors purple and pee. I hate the fact they have always looked down on the Cougs, so they can take that pretentious attitude and shove it where the sun don't shine.
New Pac-12 so Cougs get a new start and nothing tastes better than a win to kick off the season and start of the year over your bitter "former rival."
Jack Thompson, the legendary former WSU quarterback and ambassador, also had the Cougs on top, 28-21, with Caden Pinnick and Trent Bray’s defense doing the heavy lifting.
"Cougs 28-21. Caden Pinnick flourishes as Trent Bray's defense shows up big. Improvement in running game continues."
Other former WSU players and supporters piled on with similar confidence. Will Derting picked WSU 28-17.
Luke Falk went with 24-17, saying the Cougars would bottle up the Huskies and stay efficient on offense. Jeremiah Allison had WSU winning 31-21.
Jaylen Wells, the former WSU basketball player, said the Cougs would be on top 28-24.
Rian Lindell kept it short and emphatic: "We don't lose on Sundays. Cougs win 24-0."
Morgan Weaver, the WSU soccer legend, went with 38-27. Erik Coleman chose 31-24, and Steve Cook had a 14-10 Cougar win.
A few more former Cougs saw a defensive battle. Robbie Tobeck picked WSU 24-17 and said the defense would match what has shown up in camp.
Esa Pole, now with the Kansas City Chiefs, said the Cougars had the same fire they showed in 2024 and forecast a 21-3 win. Kyle Sweet called the Cougs winners by three touchdowns.
Christian Hilborn said, "Cougs by a million."
Matt Durrance predicted a 20-10 win and said the defense would steal the show. Brett Carolan had it 29-28 for WSU.
Isaac Jones went with 31-17. RJ Stone said the Cougars would win by 50 after noting Washington lost a key receiver and WSU has "new everything."
Rien Long’s pick was 34-27, and Caleb Francl saw a 23-17 game with the defense shining. Francl also predicted Jack Stevens would be the top scorer with two extra points and three field goals.
Calvin Jackson Jr. had the Cougars winning 28-7, while Zevi Eckhaus forecasted 31-7 and laid out why he thinks the new era of WSU football is built to start fast.
"Cougs win 31-7. Every team has an identity and every team each year is new.
I'm excited to see the Cougs begin their quest of finding their identity and displaying the new era of WSU football against the opponent that doesn't deserve to be named. I believe Coach Moore will bring an exhilarating, explosive, and also methodical offense that the Cougs are historically known for.
And I believe Coach Bray will display his unique schematic skill sets in his first game as DC for the Cougs. I'm excited to see the boys go out and perform."
Connor Halliday, another former WSU quarterback, picked the Cougs 21-17 and said the game would come down to keeping Demond Williams in the pocket and holding up in the trenches.
"Cougs win 21-17. The game will depend on our ability to keep Demond Williams in the pocket and if we can match up in the trenches with them. If we're able to do that I think Coach Moore starts off hot and goes 1-0 in the Apple Cup."
Peyton Pelluer also saw a one-score finish, with WSU winning 25-24 after a defensive fight and a gamble at the end.
"Cougs win 25-24. I think it's going to be a defensive game with the boys just playing hard. All heart, all gas, no brakes, go for two for the win."
Not everyone was riding with the Cougars. Greg Lewis, a former UW running back, said Washington’s experience and talent should matter in its first game at Husky Stadium in the "new" Apple Cup era. He picked the Huskies 37-14 and said the game is about UW taking another step.
"First game at Husky Stadium in the 'new' Apple Cup era. Huskies come in with their most experienced team since the Championship run.
Demod Williams is in year two of starting and needs to play well in a big game to win the fans back over. This one is not about the Cougs at all, it's about UW staying in the rankings and taking the next step.
UW wins 37-14."
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic went even bigger on Washington, predicting a 45-20 win. He praised the Huskies’ offensive line, liked the Kirby Moore hire for Washington State, and said Pinnick should produce this fall.
"Washington wins 45-20. I think UW and Demond Williams Jr. are going to have a very good year.
I feel like people probably outside of the state don't realize just how talented that o-line is there. I've heard good things about the Cougars' edge rushers that have transferred in, but this'll be the best line they have to face.
I do like the Kirby Moore hire. I feel like he's going to be a better fit there than Jimmy Rogers was.
Pinnick should put up some good numbers there this fall, and there are some decent pieces for them to work with."
Brennan Jackson, the former WSU EDGE and current Las Vegas Raider, was as bullish as anyone on the Cougars. He shouted out Jack Procter for earning a scholarship and expected a strong showing from the defensive line, then doubled down with two different scores.
"Excited to see the plethora of new faces to the Crimson get after it. Big shoutout to Jack Procter, my dawg, for getting put on scholarship, I expect a solid game from him and the rest of the defensive line.
It's never an upset because the Dawgs suck. Cougs by 50, but I'm going 31-27 and my wife Lizzy, a former Crimson Girl, says WSU wins 28-21."
Josh Hawkinson picked WSU 27-24 and said turnovers and Caden’s dual-threat ability would decide it. Leyton Smithson said Washington wouldn’t get past Keith Brown’s "old bones" and had no answer for T-Freeski, Tony Freeman.
Brock Dieu, the former WSU center and guard, said he was fired up to watch the game after not playing in it this year. Parker McKenna, a former Cougar linebacker, also went with WSU, 28-24, and said he’ll be at the game. He added that Keith Brown would have 15 tackles.
The picks, taken together, paint a split but heavily Cougar-leaning picture: a lot of faith in WSU’s defense, a lot of belief that the Apple Cup will be tight, and just enough confidence on the Washington side to keep the matchup from feeling one-sided before it even kicks off.
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Kirby Moore also took a moment to acknowledge the passing of former Washington State coach Bill Doba, adding a somber note to a week otherwise centered on getting as healthy as possible. With the availability picture clearing up, the Cougars still have one lingering roster question to sort through before kickoff, and it could shape how they approach the rivalry game. [Read more 🡒]
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Brown is expected to be part of Washington States backup mix in the 4-2-5 defense, which makes his development worth tracking even before the first big rivalry test arrives. His tackling ability is one area the Cougars will be watching closely, and with depth at linebacker becoming more important, every rep has a little extra value. [Read more 🡒]