By Danny Atkinson
On a Thanksgiving weekend that will feature many of college football’s most storied rivalries, the Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pittsburgh stands as one of the most heated and well-played games year after year. The Brawl will play huge implications in the Big East title race this year. The 9-1 Panthers need to win the game to stay tied for first place in the conference and have a winner-take all shot against undefeated Cincinnati next week for the right to receive the Big East’s BCS bowl bid. If the 7-3 Mountaineers are able to upset Pitt, then WV will be able to take revenge for two straight losses in the annual rivalry while possibly finishing second in the conference and taking a spot in the Gator Bowl. Panthers-Mountaineers is always an excellent contest, but this year it will decide whether these programs play in any old bowl or in bowls that are truly significant.
Pitt’s outstanding season has been a pleasant surprise for the program. The Panthers are unique in that they are one of the few elite teams in the nation whose success is dictated by a power running game. Pitt ranks second in the Big East in total offense, averaging 33.8 points per game. Outstanding freshman Dion Lewis is the nation’s fourth leading rusher at 129.1 yards per game, and his success has freed up quarterback Bill Stull, who has thrown only four interceptions and has a 159.3 QB rating. The Panthers offense has been strong all year, but it’s the defense that has allowed Pitt to make the transition from being a good team to a potentially great team. The Pitt defense leads the nation with 40 sacks and is 11th in tackles for loss, only allowing 176 points in the process. With the West Virginia offense having been so inconsistent on the season, facing off against the Panthers defense will be a challenge.
Though the Mountaineers program is not the same national power they were when Rich Rodriguez was head coach, West Virginia is still one of the best teams in the Big East and has been on the fringes of the Top 25 all season. The Mountaineers offense has been up and down during the Big East schedule, averaging only 21.8 points the past five games. Star RB Noel Devine is banged up and has not rushed for more than 100 yards in a month and QB Jarrett Brown has only thrown for over 200 yards once in his last five starts. The athletic West Virginia defense has been strong most of the season, limiting Big East opponents to an average of 19 points. However, the Mountaineers have neither the depth or the overall talent found on Pitt’s defensive front and will have to put forth a truly great effort to have a chance.
West Virginia used to rule the Big East, but along with Cincinnati, the Panthers have surpassed them. Pitt has big-time offensive playmakers and a defense as strong as any in the nation. The Panthers have played the schedule to prove that they can beat anyone, while West Virginia has still not beaten any teams of significant talent. The Mountaineers have been inconsistent throughout the year and lost to all the top teams they have played. With the game in Morgantown and pride on the line. I believe West Virginia will keep the Backyard Brawl close throughout, but Pitt will wear down their defense and win late. Pitt 24-20
