The West Virginia Mountaineers play host to longtime rival Pittsburgh Panthers in the first true night game at Milan Puskar Stadium since 2016.
Our staff predicts the game and gives their take on why they think that team will win.
Ashley O’Brien: This is a game that has been circled, bolded, highlighted and underlined for many WVU fans since former head coach Dana Holgorsen tweeted “Mountaineers never back down from a Brawl!” to announce that the series had been renewed. Fans left Pittsburgh with heads hung low and ringing ears from raucous chants and that dreaded panther “meow” last September with hope that the Mountaineers would bring victory to the home team in the 2023 matchup.
Many of the West Virginia faithful are cautiously optimistic about this game. WVU is not quite where they (or anyone, really) want the team to be but this game is nothing less than a must-win, no questions asked. There will be plenty of ups and downs in this matchup, the Mountaineers will likely have head-scratching moments but in the end they will come out on top.
West Virginia 35, Pitt 27
Wesley Shoemaker: The Mountaineers are going to win… right? Between the atmosphere, the time of game, I just don’t envision a way West Virginia loses. It will be arguably the best atmosphere at Milan Puskar Stadium since LSU in 2011 and I think the Mountaineers respond. WVU will run the ball a ton I think, but also won’t be afraid to take some deep shots down the field. I expect the WVU defense to make a big play late to secure the win.
West Virginia 30, Pitt 24
Aaron Parker: It’s Backyard Brawl time, and this has been the game circled on the schedules of WVU fans for multiple years. The last time Pitt walked into Morgantown for a football game was over a decade ago when the Big East Conference was still intact. On that cold November evening in 2011, the Mountaineers of West Virginia came back from down 14-0 to win 21-20, helping their chances to get into a BCS Bowl game.
West Virginia let one slip away in Pittsburgh last season when the rivalry picked back up, as the Panthers won on the backs of an MJ Devonshire pick-six with just under three minutes left. I think this year, the type of game will be similar to the 2022 game. I think it will be a war, but I don’t think it will be an old-fashioned defensive slugfest. The WVU secondary is very alarming, as multiple Penn State and Duquesne wide receivers were wide open due to miscommunication. While I think Pitt will score, I think WVU will come out as inspired as ever before in the Neal Brown era. I see running back CJ Donaldson having a big game against the Panthers, but I think a late touchdown from sophomore Jaylen Anderson will be the difference maker.
West Virginia 31, Pitt 24
Patrick Reneau: I think WVU is going to get off to a good start offensively and build a lead. I believe the defense is going to ride off the energy of the crowd and look better than they have all season with the secondary making plays to stoop the Pitt passing attack. At the end of it all I see pitt having to try and play catch up the whole game.
West Virginia 38, Pitt 24
Mark Wratchford: West Virginia hosts the Backyard Brawl for the first time since 2011 on Saturday. Last week, West Virginia took care of business against FCS opponent Duquesne, while Pitt lost at home to rival Cincinnati. After losing last year’s game 38-31, I feel it is only right for West Virginia to redeem themselves this year. I will also go bold and predict that West Virginia wins it on some sort of walkoff play.
West Virginia 34, Pitt 28
Bryce Cohen: Ask anyone in the state of West Virginia what they’re doing this weekend, and they’ll tell you in some form they’ll be watching the Backyard Brawl. After a blowout win over Duquesne, West Virginia should feel more comfortable in their pass game. Garrett Greene is fresh off a career-high 240 passing yards, in a game that didn’t see him throw a pass in the second half. Pitt’s secondary will be a tougher task compared to Duquesne, however, Greene has shown that he can connect with the deep ball, which should give Brown more confidence to call shots down the field. For Pitt, QB Phil Jurkovec has expressed his displeasure with being booed, which will be a factor he deals with from the moment he takes the field for warmups until the clock hits zero and he trots back into the locker room. He’s shown that he’s not afraid to escape the pocket while under pressure and make accurate throws on the run. This will be the biggest challenge for the Mountaineers, as Drew Allar passed all over their secondary when he was able to extend plays when West Virginia played Penn State. If West Virginia can limit the Panthers’ pass game, win the turnover battle, and establish the run game early, Country Roads will be sung as loud as ever when the game completes.
West Virginia 24, Pitt 17
Korey Moore: With a lot of history for this rivalry, the Backyard Brawl is bound to be an aggressive one with a lot of defensive power from either side. Phil Jurkovec should bounce back well for Pittsburgh after his performance last week, but West Virginia should be able to handle the loose offense of the Panthers. With offensive aggression and proven capabilities of their own, the Mountaineers should be elevated by the crowd enough to win the very close battle.
West Virginia 25, Pitt 23
