Washington State head coach Jake Dickert has only squared off with Washington once at the helm of the Cougars program, but he already knows how important the rivalry is to the history of the state.

But, with the Huskies heading to the Big Ten next year, these 2 squads will have to meet in September as non-conference foes for at least the next 5 years.

“It’s a little bittersweet. We should never have to get to this point where we are scheduling out-of-conference games,” Dickert said. “When I step back and take a 360 degree view; We’ve been playing for over 100 years, and that needs to continue.”

Dickert emphasized that he sees both sides of the coin in this scenario and why Washington chose to leave, and he is glad that this rivalry can at least be salvaged regardless of when it is played.

“At the end of the day, this rivalry does need to continue, and I think that is important,” Dickert said. “We’re playing for the Apple Cup. That means something for every person that has worn the Coug, every man that has been in our locker room.”

Likewise, the future of the inter-state rivalry between Oregon and Oregon State is also in jeopardy.

Washington and Washington State are set to battle for the 115th time at 1:00 PT on FOX this Saturday.