​SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 14: A detail view of the Boeing Apple Cup logo at midfield before the Boeing Apple Cup 2024 game between the Washington Huskies and the Washington State Cougars at Lumen Field on September 14, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) | Getty Images It’s finally here! After an offseason of twists and turns, trials and tribulations, the Huskies will finally hit somebody else for a change! The Apple Cup is first up, and the Huskies will square off against a WSU squad led by Kirby Moore in his first game at the helm! Our staff has their picks belowAndrew Berg (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)Opening the season with the Apple Cup is a strange feeling, but so is facing a Washington State roster that looks less like a P4 team every year. New HC Kirby Moore should help get the passing attack back on track after a dip in that area during the Jimmy Rogers era. QB Caden Pinnick, a transfer from Cal-Davis, has upside. While Rogers took many players with him to Iowa State, the offensive line maintained enough continuity that it should not be a glaring problem area. Overall, the offense looks “functional,” but short on receiving talent and prone to turnovers. The Dawgs’ defense looks exciting and promising. I think Kirby Moore can scheme a few good drives, but I also think the Dawgs can create negative plays and force punts on most drives.And that’s the better side of the WSU team. Most of what Rogers took away is on the defensive side. Trent Bray, a former Oregon St HC, will run the defense. The Dawgs know that a failed HC can excel by going back to the DC role, so I wouldn’t write off Bray. The defense looks specially prone to opponent run offenses. UW has question marks in the RB stable, but the rotation of backs behind a good offensive line, plus the threat of Demond Williams on the ground should keep drives going. I’m torn on whether UW will cover a spread this big, but I have little doubt about the winner.Washington 38 – Washington St 17Raymond Lucas Jr. (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)Opening the season with the Apple Cup is a unique challenge as the Huskies jump right into hate week rather than building up to it. Honestly? I’m a fan of it. Washington has no choice but to come out focused because Washington State will be looking to embarrass the Dawgs and take the coveted trophy back to Pullman. Once this game kicks off, the offseason drama centered around Demond Williams will be in the rear-view mirror. But it still happened, and I’m eager to see if he plays with poise because temptation will be in the air in the shape of big plays downfield as he looks to earn the fanbase back. Playing overly aggressively could lead to turnovers and groans from the stands, so Williams must play it smart. Winning heals all wounds, so just go out there and win. Overall, Washington is the better team by a comfortable margin, and I think the Dawgs will roll to a blowout victory over their bitter rivals. The big positives will