Washington Football: NCAA Football 12 Picks Huskies To Win Apple Cup

As bulldozers clear away remnants from UW's past at Husky Stadium, the Huskies move to CenturyLink Field for this year's Apple Cup. 

The Dawgs will play the entire 2012 at the "Clink," and there would be no better introduction to their temporary home than beating their bitter rivals from Pullman.

Like most Apple Cups, this should be a close one.  Washington has lost its last three games, while Wazzu seems to be improving as the season reaches its peak.  

As part of an ongoing series, I consulted my XBox 360 for a final prediction of the regular season.

In the opening sequence, cyber Kirk Herbstreit said Washington State doesn't "feature a particularly explosive back."  

Cyber Herbie may be alluding to the one major discrepancy between the two teams: the running game.  Washington features All-Conference back Chris Polk, while the Cougs are still struggling to amass any sort of ground attack.

Most expected Washington to exploit this same advantage last week in Corvallis, but Washington's offensive line couldn't open up anything for Polk.  If the O-Line struggles again this week, UW's offense could have a difficult time keeping up with the Cougars' passing game.

Despite all intentions to run the ball, the NCAA Football 12 Huskies prevailed through the air.  Cyber Keith Price went 16-for-22 for two touchdowns and 222 yards passing. 

The red zone also proved to be a huge factor in the simulation.  Wazzu failed to score on two trips inside the 20-yard line, while the Huskies scored two touchdowns and kicked a field goal on their three red zone trips.

By the final whistle, Washington won 30-10.

I expect a closer game this week, but I believe how both teams play in the red zone will end up deciding the Apple Cup.  Look for Washington to hit tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and senior wideout Jermaine Kearse close to the end zone.

With another bowl game looming, Washington takes the Apple Cup 33-27. 

Xbox predictions this season: 3-8

Beswick predictions this season: 7-4