David E. Bakken, an assistant professor of computer science, and colleague Jack Hagemeister, a computer science instructor, have a lot in common.

Both are interested in hunting and archery, are heavy-set, work part-time in the summer for a local security startup company and have graying beards.

“We’re both good ol’ boys who are politically incorrect in a lot of ways,” Bakken said.

But Friday the two will have one less thing in common.

“One of us will be feeling the breeze on our face for the first time in years on Friday,” Bakken said.

Bakken, a Cougar football fan, and Hagemeister, a Vandal football fan, have made a bet on today’s Battle of the Palouse football game that will leave only one of them with a beard Friday morning.

“If Jack shows up Friday morning with a beard, he will be mercilessly heckled by the whole department,” Bakken said, confident of a Cougar victory.

“Quite frankly, the game and the person left with a beard depends on which team shows up with the better defense,” Hagemeister said.

Also hoping for a Cougar victory is ASWSU President Jesse Keene.

Keene has challenged ASUI President Leah Clark-Thomas to a bet in which the loser will first dye his or her hair the colors of the opposing school for the day of the winning school’s homecoming rally, either crimson and gray or black and gold.

Then he or she will walk the eight miles between Moscow and Pullman on the day of the winning school’s homecoming rally wearing clothing of the winning school.

Finally he or she will make an appearance at the homecoming rally of the winning school where they will profess their admiration of the winning school.

“I plan on seeing Leah’s hair crimson and gray during our homecoming week,” Keene said. “There is no way that Idaho will be able to contain the Cougars.

“After years of losing close football games the Cougs are ready to start destroying people. I hope Idaho enjoys being step No. 1 on our way to a bowl game.”

Clark-Thomas disagreed.

“I have a feeling the Cougars are going to walk home with their tails dragging on the ground — again,” she said.

Pullman Mayor Mitch Chandler sides with Keene and Bakken in hoping for a Cougar victory.

Chandler has placed 20 pounds of lentils on the line against Moscow Mayor Marshall Comstock’s 20 pounds of potatoes.

Traditionally, the mayors have wagered Washington-grown apples and Idaho-grown potatoes, but because of the recent lentil festival, Chandler decided on the legumes instead.

“It’s a really fun type of bet because our communities are so close and have so much in common,” Comstock said. “It’s fun to have a little competition between us.”

For the past two years, Chandler was forced to deliver apples to a Moscow City Council meeting.

“We really like Mayor Chandler coming to our council meetings,” Comstock said.

But Chandler would like to see the opposite after today’s game.

“Hopefully it will be (Comstock’s) turn this year,” Chandler said.