Dots: Apple Cup Week Commences

Regular Dots

• We start by putting a bow on the amazing victory by the Huskies over the Beavers of Oregon State.  Go Huskies has all the notebook items, records and milestones to recap one of the most dominating victories that the Huskies have ever posted.  You'll have to excuse the title of their article. 
  

  via 24.media.tumblr.com



• The Men's Soccer team erupted for three second-half goals in their tournament matchup versus Seattle U and has now moved on to the Sweet 16.  Go Dawgs!


• The Men's Basketball team (sorry about that whiff on the Boston College game) is really struggling.  NBC Sports Talk says that the Husky defense has been "atrocious" so far this season but that there is reason for hope.


• If you haven't been following the drama in Sacramento, former Husky Isaiah Thomas has been the 6th man all season for the Kings.  Despite coming off the bench, he's been the best player for the Kings the whole way and his situation is starting to become a conundrum for the inept leadership of that ballclub.


• Jake Locker recently had surgery on his lisfranc injury and is now fighting the label of being injury-prone. This despite the fact that his injuries are of the broken bone / separated limb variety.  Regardless, he has missed almost half of his professional games and is now struggling with the label.


• Here is some interesting news for Husky fans in Seattle:  the UW light-rail station is nearly 9 months ahead of schedule and, if all holds to form, should be open in more than enough time to shuttle fans to games in 2016.
  

Apple Cup Dots

• The Huskies and the Cougars will duke it out on Friday for the 106th time in their history.  UW holds an all-time record of 67-32-6 in these matchups including a ridiculous 35-15 record since the Apple Cup was put on the line (and replacing the Governor's Cup in 1962.  Of course, the Cougs come into it holding all the bragging rights after pulling off the biggest comeback in Apple Cup history last Thanksgiving.  Go Huskies has a ton of game notes here.


• How's this for a contrast in styles?
  

  QUICK #AppleCup FACT: Bishop Sankey has 1575 yards in 2013; the entire #WSU rushing attack has gained 660 yards so far this year. #UW

  — Chris Fetters (@Chris_Fetters) November 25, 2013



• This year will be unique in that both coaches go into the game with "success" in the Apple Cup.  Steve Sarkisian is 3-1 across his last four Apple Cups while Mike Leach claims a perfect record in his lone Apple Cup as WSU's head man.  Somebody is going to come out of this year as a "loser" and, as covered by the Seattle Times, there is more then pride on the line. Think pocketbooks.


• Speaking of "on the line", our friends at Coug Center have already started their Apple Cup coverage and kicked it off with a commentary on how much is on the line for both teams as it relates to post-season positioning.


• The Spokesman Review is excited to see an Apple Cup that matches up two teams that are a bit more flamboyant in their styles then previous incarnations have been.
• Apparently that flamboyance portends success.  Christian Caple with an interesting factoid:
  

  WSU and UW will enter next week's Apple Cup with winning records. First time that's happened since 2002.

  — Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) November 24, 2013



• As far as your Husky players are concerned, they seemed to have captured the right balance between enthusiasm and intensity as demonstrated by the demeanor shown on the sideline in Corvallis all through Saturday night.  They turn that focus now towards the Apple Cup with a notion of making up for the debacle of 2012.


• One guy who always has the right balance of enthusiasm and intensity?  Marques Tuiasosopo.  And he always seems to deliver exactly the right message.
  

  WSU and UW will enter next week's Apple Cup with winning records. First time that's happened since 2002.

  — Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) November 24, 2013

Apple Cup Chuckles

Seems that a Coug was driving West from Pullman at the same time a Husky was driving East from Seattle and they happened to meet head-on in a horrible crash on top of Snoqualmie Pass. Miraculously, both climbed out of the heaping wreckage...their bodies intact. They examined the twisted metal and realized that they were truly lucky to be alive.

The Coug said, "This must be a sign from God that we should end the bitter rivalry that we have had since the beginning of time."

The Husky agreed...he went to his trunk and pulled out an unbroken bottle of whiskey. "This is truly remarkable," he said, "God must want us to toast our new-found friendship." He twisted the cap off and handed the bottle to the Coug, who took several big swigs, wiped his chin and handed the bottle back. The Husky replaced the cap, and without a word, put the bottle back into his trunk. "Aren't you going to celebrate our luck?" asked the Coug.

"No", said the Husky, "I'll just wait for the Highway Patrol."

Question of the Day

The Huskies racked up nearly 700 yards in total offense against a winning Pac 12 team last weekend and enter the Apple Cup number two in the Pac 12 in total offense with 525 yards per game (50 yards per game better than ASU).  What are your expectations for the Husky offense on Friday?