Apple Cup 2008: A bushel of bad football

I would of thought this was between the Cincinnati Bengals vs. the Detroit Lions, but this is pretty much just as bad. WASHINGTON (0-10, 0-7) AT WASHINGTON STATE (1-10, 0-8) should be a very entertaining game to say the least. I hope. They should go out and try their hardest to come away with at least one win this season if you are Washington.

PULLMAN -- The sun shone here Friday, but the forecast said freezing rain might coat the turf at Martin Stadium just before the kickoff of Saturday's Apple Cup.

In other words, both teams will be on thin ice.

Both teams are troubled and on the verge of plunging to depths never before realized by their respective programs. Regardless, there is a game to play -- a rivalry game, at that.

Because of that, the Washington Huskies and Washington State Cougars will strap on their gear and attempt to heat up the field.

"There's a natural energy around this game that everyone is affected by," Huskies lame-duck coach Tyrone Willingham said. "Everyone is kind of drawn to it. You know there's something different about this week.

"There will be a lot of conversations in this state. Everyone will have something to say about it good, bad or indifferent."

Most of what has been said is bad.

The Huskies are 0-10. Their coach has been fired. They did not win a home game for the first time in the history of Husky Stadium, are one loss away from the most in program history and two losses away from being the only winless UW team.

The Cougars aren't much better, coming into the game 1-10, with the lone victory coming over Portland State of the Football Championship Subdivision. Under first-year coach Paul Wulff, the Cougars own the worst defense statistically in the history of the Pac-10 and are last in the Football Bowl Subdivision in turnover margin.

But there are still reasons to believe this game will be competitive. Misery loves company, right?

Two anemic offenses will try to move the ball against two Swiss cheese-like defenses.

The Huskies have scored four offensive touchdowns in the past five games and been held to under 200 yards in three of the past four.

They bottomed out a week ago, producing just 39 passing yards as part of a paltry seven-point, 135-yard effort against UCLA.

Offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said, "It started after the USC game. I thought we were starting to get better and do some things offensively. But after the USC game we've regressed every week, and that has to change to win a football game."

Injuries have hurt the Huskies, especially in the backfield, where they have not established a consistent starter at running back all season.

Freshman Terrance Dailey has started the most games with four in a row, but a hip pointer kept him out for all but one play against UCLA.

Sophomore Brandon Johnson stepped in, rushing 20 times for 75 yards and scoring the lone touchdown, but a death in the family kept him out of all but one practice this week.

Dailey and redshirt freshman Willie Griffin battled for the starting spot against Washington State, and Willingham said, "We'll see who shows up to line up and play."

What that back will face is a three-down lineman defensive scheme -- something the Cougars switched to just two weeks ago.

"I don't know why they went to their odd front, but they went to the odd front the last couple weeks, and I think it's helped them a little bit," Lappano said.

"I know you're looking at me saying, 'But look at the numbers,' but they played Arizona State pretty good in the first half. It was 10-0. I think (the front) has given them a little bit of a lift."

Washington State coach Paul Wulff is simply trying to maximize what he gets out of his healthy players.

Tackle Matt Eichelberger was moved out of the starting lineup and replaced by Toby Turpin in the middle. A'i Ahmu and Matt Mullennix are on the ends and are capable of applying pressure.

"They played well against us a year ago, and they're playing hard right now," Lappano said. "I don't think they've lost their fight at all."

Many outsiders have questioned that when it comes to the Huskies.

But defensive coordinator Ed Donatell warns fans not to mistake youthful mistakes and frustration with surrender.

"These are so young guys, and I see us getting better before worse, so we'll make it through it," he said.

With as many as 10 regulars set to play in their first Apple Cup, Donatell guaranteed a renewed sense of hope.

"After the SC game we felt we had the opportunities against ASU and UCLA, and our guys really believed in those games," Donatell said.

"(But) this is the Apple Cup. They all matter. No matter what the year has been, you throw out the records and you go play this one. It's about competition. Our guys? We have no choice but to believe."

WASHINGTON (0-10, 0-7) AT WASHINGTON STATE (1-10, 0-8)