Although the Apple Cup will be played this weekend, the same can't be said following the 2028 season. As of now, the Washington Huskies only have two nonconference games scheduled for 2029: a road trip to Tennessee and a home game against Boise State.
On Friday, athletic director Pat Chun addressed the matter on Seattle's KJR Radio with Dave Mahler and Dick Fain.
"The easiest answer is this: we fully have respect of the Apple Cup and an understanding of its importance to the state," Chun said. "There is an intent to try and continue the game on both sides of this. There's also a piece, at least from our perspective, we want to see where the CFP (College Football Playoff) ends and what scheduling criteria looks like."
Chun also noted that he expects
the College Football Playoff to expand in the near future, which would have an impact on the way the Huskies schedule their nonconference games.
When the current contract to renew the rivalry was agreed upon in November 2023, Chun was on the other side of the fence, serving as Washington State's AD from 2018-2024. Now in Seattle, he's looking to do what's best for his program in a world where changes are made seemingly every ten minutes.
As of now, the rivalry will continue for the next two years, with the 2027 contest returning to Pullman before what could be the grand finale in Seattle in 2028. With the Huskies still having an open nonconference slot in 2029 and 2030, both sides still have a path to a deal.
For historical reference, the last time the Apple Cup wasn't played was in 2020 due to a shortened COVID season. Before that? 1943 and 1944, when the Cougars suspended their program amidst World War II.
As Chun and the Huskies continue to look for ways to maintain a successful program, the clock is ticking on one of the oldest rivalries in college football.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Washington Athletic Director Pat Chun Speaks on Future of Apple Cup
