Washington Huskies coach Steve Sarkisian having difficulty seeing Washington State on film for Apple Cup

Oct 31, 2013; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars receiver Gabe Marks (9) is pursued by Arizona State Sun Devils linebacker Carl Bradford (52) on a 34-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The 106th Apple Cup in Seattle is already shaping up to be a fun one and Steve Sarkisian apparently already has a complaint:

.@CoachSark said during his coaches show #UW had trouble breaking down the #WSU film from last week because of difficulty identifying #'s.
— Chris Fetters (@Chris_Fetters) November 26, 2013

This is a good way to strike up a twitter war between the two teams, as Mike Leach could technically complain about the same issue.

@Chris_Fetters @CoachSark hard to read numbers? sounds like a certain team's black uniforms.
— Jonathan Blue (@JonBlueFC) November 26, 2013

Oct 12, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Bishop Sankey (25) carries the ball during against the Oregon Ducks during the game at Husky Stadium. Oregon defeated Washington 45-24. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

While the Pac-12 Conference says that the jersey and numbers on the jersey have to be distinctly different colors, it does not specify dark-on-dark shading as an issue. The conference approves all uniforms before they are allowed on the playing field, and generally as long as the officials can read the numbers and the manufacturers logos are all up to code, it’s ok. Washington and Washington State are two of only three teams (Utah being the other) in the conference that use that option distinctly, however.

The Oregon Ducks do some similar things with their light jerseys. Neither is the team’s main home (or in Oregon’s case away) jersey. In all cases it seems that the numbers are much easier to see if you are on the field than from far away, as the blending effect is nullified the closer you get.

The Huskies opened as two-touchdown favorites over the Cougars this week. If the UW gets upset, it looks like Sark will have his excuse(s) ready to go.

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