The Zeitgeist List · Rivalries

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Washington State32-70-4Washington
Regional Program I#82 of 138–Power Program II#16 of 138–
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →
This year’s game — the live preview →
3 players crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →

Washington leads the all-time series 70-32-4. They've met 106 times since 1917. Washington once took 8 straight.

Current season

Vegas win totals and transfer-portal swing right now, plus what fans are actually saying — not history, this year.

Washington State
Transfer portal
-1
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: -34
What fans are saying · player performance
One fan thinks the team underperforms in high-pressure situations
Once again cougs have a chance to make the winning play and instead shit their pants.
Verified verbatim
Washington
Transfer portal
-11
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: -35
What fans are saying · player performance
fans think Demond had too many turnovers in key games
Even more heartbreaking, those two losses to MN and USC were close games, both with dumb turnovers by Demond resulting from rushed or stupid decisions that led to points for the opponent.
Verified verbatim

Stature & the series, 1917–2026

Both programs’ standing over time, each line named at its end, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won. (Stature is each program’s season-by-season standing on the Zeitgeist List, 1936–present — one score blending on-field performance, program achievement, and roster talent.)

program stature over timeWashington StateWashingtonevery meeting (bar height = margin; dark: Washington State won, gray: Washington won)192019401960198020002020

The identity war

Washington State was the more pass-heavy program — then Washington took it over.

Washington State threw it more in 16 of 18 seasons, 2004–2021. Since 2022, Washington has led 3 of 5. Real exceptions: 2004, 2008, 2023, 2025.

more passmore runWashington StateWashington2004200620082010201220142016201820202022202420262022Washington 1.1 ptsWashington won 51-332025Washington State 3.8 ptsWashington won 59-242008Washington 2.1 ptsWashington State won 16-13
Source team_season_stats (CFBD season totals) · pass rate = passAttempts ÷ (passAttempts + rushingAttempts)

The biggest win was Washington by 48 in 2000. The biggest crowd, 74,549, was in 2003.

The coaching duels

Jim Walden vs Don James3-6
Jim Sutherland vs Jim Owens2-5
Jim Sweeney vs Jim Owens3-4
O.E. Hollingbery vs James Phelan1-4-1
Mike Price vs Jim Lambright2-4
Mike Leach vs Chris Petersen0-6

The draft ledger

Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.

Draft picks
83-175
Washington leads
1st-rounders
10-28
Since
1967
First CFBD-carried draft class
Washington StateWashington
1960s4-5
1970s9-18
1980s13-32
1990s21-40
2000s17-19
2010s11-33
2020s8-28

Best picks, either side

1993Drew Bledsoe Quarterback · New England PatriotsRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1992Steve Emtman Defensive End · Indianapolis ColtsRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1998Ryan Leaf Quarterback · San Diego ChargersRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1979Jack Thompson Quarterback · Cincinnati BengalsRd 1, pick 3#3 overall
1987Reggie Rogers Defensive End · Detroit LionsRd 1, pick 7#7 overall
2024Michael Penix Jr. Quarterback · Atlanta FalconsRd 1, pick 8#8 overall
1985Ron Holmes Defensive End · Tampa Bay BuccaneersRd 1, pick 8#8 overall
2011Jake Locker Quarterback · Tennessee TitansRd 1, pick 8#8 overall

Recent meetings

Gate premium

Washington State1.19×its own average home crowd
Washington1.13×its own average home crowd
2026Washington24-10
2025Washington59-24
2024Washington State24-19
2023Washington24-21
2022Washington51-33
2021Washington State40-13
2019Washington31-13
2018Washington28-15Washington State — both ranked, Washington State routed by 13
2017Washington41-14Washington State — both ranked
2016Washington45-17Washington State — both ranked
2015Washington45-10
2014Washington31-13
2013Washington27-17
2012Washington State31-28

Every meeting since 2018, play by play

Each line is Washington State’s chance to win through that meeting. Washington State is 1-2 in the meetings since 2018 that were still close in the fourth quarter. The loudest meeting for fans was 2026: loud. Fans of both teams were loud at once in 2024. The bracket marks where.

2026Washington 24-10Washington State lost 10-24 at Washington. Chance to win started at 7%, low under 1%, high 8%.Loud
2025Washington 59-24Washington State lost 24-59 vs Washington. Chance to win started at 14%, low under 1%, high 14%.Steady
2024Washington State 24-19Washington State won 24-19 vs Washington. Chance to win started at 43%, low 23%, high 90%.Busy
2023Washington 24-21Washington State lost 21-24 at Washington. Chance to win started at 17%, low under 1%, high 57%.Loud
2022Washington 51-33Washington State lost 33-51 vs Washington. Chance to win started at 40%, low 1%, high 65%.
2021Washington State 40-13Washington State won 40-13 at Washington. Chance to win started at 54%, low 52%, high better than 99%.
2019Washington 31-13Washington State lost 13-31 at Washington. Chance to win started at 35%, low under 1%, high 61%.
2018Washington 28-15Washington State lost 15-28 vs Washington. Chance to win started at 60%, low 3%, high 68%.
“Are these announcers legitimately stupid lmao”
A fan of another team
Read a quote from each meeting
  • 2026
    “Are these announcers legitimately stupid lmao”
    A fan of another team
  • 2025
    “Is crazy how stacked of a WR room we had. Odunze, McMillan, Polk and Boston waiting in the wings. Boston is a baller”
    A Washington fan

Share the loudest meeting

This season’s plays, Washington State and Washington

Official highlights with our numbers, from the 5 plays on film when they met.

  1. Q4, 10:15 · Washington State down 10Caden Pinnick runs 11 yards for a touchdownWashington State at Washington, week 1Q4, 10:15 · Washington State 7, Washington 10Washington State got on the board with 10:15 left in the fourth quarterWashington State got on the board with 10:15 left in the fourth quarterC.Pinnick rush middle for 11 yards gain to the WASH00 touchdown, 1ST DOWN, kick goodWatch from this playBig Ten Football
  2. Q4, 8:05 · Washington up 3D. Williams Jr. finds R. Williams for a 1-yard touchdownWashington State at Washington, week 1Q4, 8:05 · Washington 17, Washington State 7Washington’s first points in 32 minutesWashington’s first points in 32 minutesD.Williams Jr. pass complete short left to R.Williams caught at WSU02, for 1 yard to the WSU00 touchdown, kick goodWatch from this playBig Ten Football
  3. Q2, 10:09 · Washington up 3Demond Williams Jr. runs 5 yards for a touchdownWashington State at Washington, week 1Q2, 10:09 · Washington 10, Washington State 0▲3%Washington’s chance to win, 95% to 98%▲3%Washington’s chance to win, 95% to 98%D.Williams Jr. rush left for 5 yards gain to the WSU00 touchdown. The previous play is under automatic review - "Runner broke the plane". CALL UPHELD, kick goodWatch from this playBig Ten Football
  4. Q4, 2:18 · Washington up 7Jayden Limar runs 11 yards for a touchdownWashington State at Washington, week 1Q4, 2:18 · Washington 24, Washington State 10▼2%Washington’s chance to win, 100% to 98%▼2%Washington’s chance to win, 100% to 98%J.Limar rush right for 11 yards gain to the WSU00 touchdown, 1ST DOWN, kick goodWatch from this playBig Ten Football
  5. Q1, 9:48 · Washington State tiedRussell Davis II sacks Caden Pinnick for a 4-yard lossWashington State at Washington, week 1Q1, 9:48 · Washington State 0, Washington 00-0score after the play0-0score after the playC.Pinnick sacked for loss of 4 yards to the WSU38 (R.Davis II)Watch from this playBig Ten Football

Meetings with their own story page

9 meetings in our archive, 2015 to 2025.