Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers bets Congressman Joe Wilson a bottle of merlot that Zags will win

U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers is so confident about the Zags victory on Saturday she’s willing to bet a bottle of Eastern Washington merlot against a jar of South Carolina barbecue sauce.

McMorris Rodgers and South Carolina Republican colleague Joe Wilson recorded the bet in a video posted on Facebook Thursday morning. In it Wilson insists “we’re not betting, but we do have a wager” – a distinction that isn’t exactly clear.

Perhaps the difference is that the back and forth on the video allows them to compliment each other and plug local products, so no one comes out behind in the end. It also allows some of McMorris Rodgers’ critics to add comments to the Facebook post about her recent votes or asking for a town hall in the Spokane Valley.

If the Zags win, Wilson, whose district includes Columbia, South Carolina, where the university is located, will give her a jar of Shealy’s Barbecue Sauce. He explains it’s a mustard-based sauce reflecting the region’s German heritage.

If the Gamecocks win, McMorris Rodgers will give him a bottle of Canoe Ridge merlot from the Walla Walla vineyard.

Wilson earned fame in 2009 when he interrupted President Barack Obama by yelling “You lie!” as Obama addressed Congress.

As for other politicians, in reacting to Gonzaga’s recent success, Gov. Jay Inslee tweeted a video Thursday evening with the caption “With a little help from superfan Rep. Marcus Riccelli, I’m here to say all of Washington is rooting for @ZagMBB - Go Zags!”