SPOKANE, Wash. - Lots of people are joking that this is the worst Apple Cup matchup in history.

Washington State (1-10) and Washington (0-10) are certainly lousy, at a combined 1-20 so far. The next-worst combined records were in the 1969 Apple Cup, when the two teams entered 2-18.

There is also a school of thought that the Cougars may be the worst team in major college history, mostly on the evidence of the epic blowout losses they have endured. They are being outscored by an average of 48-12.

That's the major reason Las Vegas bookmakers list the Huskies as 7 1/2-point favorites.

Less explicable is why Fox Sports is televising this game nationally starting at noon Pacific time. And it's not even the worst carnage in the time period. Those who can't stomach the game can switch to "The Alamo" on AMC, "Storm Chasers" on Discovery, "Jonestown, Paradise Lost" on "The History Channel," "Ultimate Fighter" on Spike or "What Not To Wear" on TLC.

COACH SEARCH: Mark Emmert, UW president, announced Wednesday the formation of an advisory committee to assist in the search for a new football coach. The group includes star quarterback Jake Locker.

The committee will be chaired by Pat Dobel, a professor in public affairs and Washington's faculty athletic representative to the Pac-10 Conference. The committee's job is to help define the desired qualities and characteristics of the next coach.

"It is critical that the person who assumes the job fully grasps and comprehends the values and goals of the university," Emmert wrote in appointing the committee.

Locker said Wednesday he was asked to be on the committee and the group had its first meeting Tuesday night.

The committee is expected to provide its input by the first week of December. But it will not have a say in who the next coach should be or know who the candidates are.

Other members of the committee include Randy Hodgins, interim vice president for external affairs; Ed Taylor, dean for undergraduate academic affairs; Joanne Bowers, head women's gymnastics coach and Anttimo Bennett, president of the Associated Students of the University of Washington.

RUNNING BACK WOES: Washington was already getting thin at running back. Now the Huskies may be without Brandon Johnson, who started last week against UCLA.

Johnson had a death in the family, coach Tyrone Willingham said Wednesday, and wasn't expected to rejoin the team until Thursday. Terrance Dailey is still recovering from a hip pointer suffered in practice last week and had just one carry against UCLA. Willie Griffin has been bothered by a toe injury as well.

Willingham said it was too early to know who would start against the Cougars. Should none of them be able to go Saturday, the Huskies would likely use fullbacks Luke Kravitz and Paul Homer as their ball carriers.

Last week, Johnson rushed for a season high 75 yards on 20 carries and scored a touchdown against the Bruins.

It's a strange situation for Washington, which started the season with a glut of running backs.

"That's always the way it happens," Willingham said.

BIG CAT: Cougar Pride, a 15-foot-tall bronze monument, will be dedicated in the Martin Stadium plaza on Saturday at 10 a.m. The giant cougar weighs 4,500 pounds and is more than 14 feet long from nose to tail. It was commissioned by Gary Schneidmiller (WSU class of 1971) and created by artists Mike and Chester Fields.

APPLE SLICES: The Washington-Washington State series dates back to 1900, when the teams played to a 5-5 tie in Seattle. Only since 1962 has the winner been awarded the Apple Cup. The winner was awarded the Governor's Trophy from 1934 to 1961. The series is now sponsored by Boeing. Washington holds a 64-30-6 edge in the 100-game series.