If you’re wondering how the Huskies, a year after losing to their arch-rivals, can be a 24-point favorite over said Apple Cup foes, consider the following:

They have Jake Locker this time. The quarterback was out with a broken thumb last year in the Dawgs’ 16-13 double-overtime loss.

That Cougar win, remember, was clearly an upset, an exceedingly odd victory in which WSU never led until the first overtime. The Huskies had been favored by seven and a half points.

We’re in Seattle this year, where traditionally Cougars feel uncomfortable. Granted, they’ve somehow won two AC’s in a row there, both with Alex Brink at quarterback. But these present-day Cougars are an entirely different animal, and frankly they don’t seem very comfortable anywhere.

Kickoff 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Last 5 posts by Dale Grummert

• Watson staying home - March 9th, 2010
• Watson suspended - March 5th, 2010
• Starting over - January 29th, 2010
• Gut-shot - January 26th, 2010
• Shirts and skins - January 25th, 2010