Earlier Apple Cup fires up rivalry between UW and WSU

Break out the college colors and the boxing gloves.

What's happening: The Washington Huskies will face the Washington State Cougars on Saturday at Lumen Field in their first meeting since the Pac-12 athletic conference shrank from 12 schools to two this year.

Why it matters: The in-state rivalry, known as the Apple Cup, is a major event for Washington's college football fans, when trash talking between Dawgs and Cougs typically reaches its peak.

Catch up quick: Even though UW and WSU are now in different athletic conferences, school leaders reached a deal last year to make sure the annual matchup would continue.

• Four former Pac-12 schools — Washington, the University of Oregon, the University of Southern California and UCLA — joined the Big Ten this year, while others departed for the Big 12 and the ACC.

Between the lines: While the WSU-UW game has typically been played in November, the conference reshuffle led to the game being scheduled much earlier this year.

What they're saying: Players, coaches and fans alike get fired up about the game.

• "I tell them, 'While I'm here, we ain't losing to no Cougs,'" said UW wide receiver Denzel Boston, as reported by the Seattle Times .
• "I think we're battle-tested and we're war-ready," Cougars coach Jake Dickert said at a press conference this week.

How we're watching: Tickets — starting at $62 — are still available to the game, which kicks off at 12:30pm.

• It will also be streamed on Peacock.