Apple cup 2014

The Pac-12 announced Tuesday night the 2015 league football schedule. Seems like funny timing to me, coming just as this season is gaining steam, but nobody asked me.

Some highlights:

— The Apple Cup continues to be bounced around, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 at Husky Stadium. (It’s on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend this year in Pullman, after taking place on that Friday at WSU in 2012. The Friday of Thanksgiving weekend mirrors the day of last year’s event in Seattle. And no, we won’t have a game time probably for about 14 months.)

— Washington begins a two-year run of “misses” against UCLA and Colorado, which, given the Buffs’ state as probably the weakest team in the league, isn’t a great break for the Huskies.

— WSU’s misses are against USC and Utah.

— There doesn’t appear to be a significant difference in scheduling of big-time non-league games. This year, Pac-12 teams have 11 games against the power-five plus Notre Dame (and a 12th against a power-five-worthy team in BYU). In 2015, there are 10 power-five opponents, plus two more against BYU and Boise State (the Broncos will host Washington).

— USC, however, is one school gearing back, playing Arkansas State, Idaho and Notre Dame.

— Arizona is again taking the path of least resistance, with UTSA, Nevada and Northern Arizona.

— The traditional between Colorado and Colorado State, recently taking place as an opener, will be Sept. 19, 2015.

— USC and Stanford, which had a titanic early conference game Sept. 6, will again meet relatively early — Sept. 19.

Herewith, each team’s non-league schedule:

Arizona: UTSA,  at Nevada, Northern Arizona.

Arizona State: Texas A&M (at Reliant Stadium, Houston), Cal Poly, New Mexico.

Cal: Grambling, San Diego State, at Texas.

Colorado:  Hawaii, Massachusetts, Colorado State, Nicholls State.

Oregon: Eastern Washington,  Michigan State, Georgia State.

Oregon State: Weber State, at Michigan, San Jose State.

Stanford: At Northwestern, Central Florida, Notre Dame.

UCLA: Virginia, UNLV, BYU.

USC: Arkansas State, Idaho, at Notre Dame.

Utah: Michigan, Utah State, at Fresno State.

Washington: At Boise State, Sacramento State, Utah State.

WSU: Portland State, at Rutgers, Wyoming.