In just two days, Pitt travels to Morgantown for the 102nd edition of the Backyard Brawl. Pitt leads the series 61-37-3 and has won the last two. You might remember one of the more famous meetings between these two as the 2007 Brawl. That year, WVU was ranked 2nd in the nation and only had to win against a 4-7 Panthers team to visit the National Championship game. Pitt won the game 13-9.

Last year, the Brawl came back to Pittsburgh and the Panthers won 19-15. Can Pitt make it three straight this year? While they’re not quite in contention for a National Championship this season, they are undefeated in the Big East with only WVU and Cincinnati left to play. The Cincinnati at Pitt game on December 5th will decide the Big East Champion no matter what the outcome of this Friday’s game is, but a Pitt victory against WVU will secure at least second place in the Big East.

We’re giving you our predictions one day early this week. Enjoy!

Mike_B:

Sorry Pitt fans, I have to keep my post short today as I am getting ready to board a plane to Orlando for Thanksgiving. Here are my quick thoughts on the game though.

WVU’s running back Noel Devine may not play, and if he does, he probably won’t be 100% which is huge for Pitt. Jarrett Brown isn’t the best quarterback to light up the Panthers secondary.

Shady McCoy never understood the rivalry until his trip down to West Virginia. As soon as the bus stopped, it was pelted by rocks. He then understood and made it personal. I’m not sure if Dion Lewis needs this kind of motivation or not, but Pitt needs a big game from him. Cincinnati torched WVU for 175 yards on 18 carries in their game, Dion Lewis needs to do the same. WVU doesn’t have the greatest defense, so look for Lewis to carry the load, while Bill Stull manages the game using Dorin Dickerson and Jonathan Baldwin.

This may be a rivalry game, and WVU wants revenge for the past two years, but this is the best Pitt team in a long time in this rivalry and I feel that WVU is not up to Pitt’s level. The line maybe Pitt giving 1, but I feel a blowout is in store.

Prediction: 34-17 Panthers

Dan_P:

You have the honor this year of watching the best Pitt football team of modern times. Pitt hasn’t been this good since the early 80′s. The talent is abundant across the board. This is a Pitt team unlike any that WVU has seen in recent years.

Sure, this is a rivalry. Sure, WVU is going to try to turn this into revenge for 2007. But a few things are worthy of noting here. First, this isn’t the same WVU team that played that game in 2007. There’s a new coach, a lot of new players, and it’s just not the same team. The fanbase will remember and want to make it about revenge, but the team is going to make this game about this year, not 2007. Second, no matter how much anyone tries to point out the similarities, Pitt is simply not in the same position that WVU was in 2007. Pitt is not fighting for a National Championship game. Pitt isn’t even fighting for a chance at the Big East Championship. They’ve already secured a shot at it. All they have to do is beat Cincinnati for the Big East BCS bid. So really, Pitt has very little at stake in this game other than pride.

But make no mistake, that’s enough for Pitt. Pride is everything. A rivalry is unlike any other competition. You want it bad. You want it at all costs. And even though Pitt has virtually nothing to lose in this game, they’re going to come out with intensity. They want to make a statement. They know this game is a chance to make a statement. A big win against a formidable Big East opponent will go a long way with the national audience.

Look for Pitt’s defense to step up in this game once again. The defense against Notre Dame for the first three quarters was outstanding. They shut down the Irish. That’s the defense that you’re going to see this week, but not until they get a kick start. Look for WVU to put up some points early, but for Pitt to respond and shut them down after with maybe just a field goal later on in the game. I predict Pitt holds WVU to their lowest point total of the season.

As for offense, you’re going to see another outstanding game from Dion Lewis. He’ll go for 100+ yards yet again. Stull should come out comfortable and under control. He’s been here before. Look for him to lead the offense with some good play from his receivers to back him up.

I’m calling a fairly easy Pitt victory in this one.

Prediction: 28-17 Pitt

Pitt upset #2 WVU in 2007, the last time the Panthers were in that pile of dung that they call Morgantown, WV.