By: Jonathan K. Martin | WV Sports Chat
This Saturday, the West Virginia Mountaineers (1-1) face off against the Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0) in the 108th edition of the storied Backyard Brawl at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, West Virginia, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Coming off a disappointing 17-10 loss to Ohio, the Mountaineers are eager to rebound on their home turf. Meanwhile, the Panthers, fresh off a commanding 45-17 victory over Central Michigan, look to continue their offensive dominance
All of our WV Sports Chat staff incorrectly picked the Mountaineers to win last week – and we’re back again offering our previews and predictions for West Virginia vs Pitt.
Season Standings:
- Jonathan K. Martin 1-1
- Justin “Couz” Walker 1-1
- James Gravely 1-1
- Cole Livengood 1-1
- Shanna Rose 1-1
Jonathan K. Martin | This is a classic head versus heart. On paper, West Virginia doesn’t have much of a chance. Between offensive line struggles, question marks surrounding quarterback play, and Jahiem White out for the season, the Mountaineer offense is likely to struggle.
A lone bright spot is Zac Alley’s defense. The Mountaineers forced three turnovers last week against Ohio and shut the Bobcats out in the second half. But Pitt is a different animal – with offensive standouts like quarterback Eli Holstein and do-it-all athlete Desmond Reid.
In the end this is the Backyard Brawl. It’s being played in Morgantown and WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez has an opportunity to get redemption from the 13-9 game that still haunts so many. I think West Virginia finds a way to get it done.
West Virginia 24 Pitt 21
Justin “Couz” Walker | What a story! Rich Rodriguez returning to Morgantown as head coach of the WVU football program and who does he play on 9/13? That’s right, the Pitt Panthers. In a chance to get redemption for the 13-9 game that ended his last run in Morgantown, Rodriguez and the Mountaineers host the arch nemesis from just up I79.
Pitt returns quarterback Eli Holstein, shifty running back, Desmond Reid, one of the top linebacker groups in the country and a host of other players from last year’s Backyard Brawl winners. Meanwhile, Rodriguez and his new coaching staff at WVU are still breaking in approximately 80 new players. The Mountaineer offense struggled against Ohio U. last week. Combine that with the season ending injury to WVU star running back, Jahiem White, and it may be a challenge for West Virginia to get points against this Pat Narduzzi defense.
It will be up to Zac Alley’s Mountaineer defense to get key stops, force turnovers and maybe even get some points of their own if the Mountaineers have any chance to win this game. Don’t be surprised if special teams even play a role. A sellout crowd will pack Milan Puskar Stadium, and their noise will be needed to help the Mountaineers pull off a win. Unfortunately, I’m not convinced that will be enough.
Pitt 24 West Virginia 10
James Gravely | WVU is coming off an embarrassing loss to Ohio. I say embarrassing because the lack of offensive production from the QB play and the O-Line. WVU’s defense had three INTs, all giving WVU momentum and the ball, and what happened?
The offense stalled out like a bad car engine. I do expect WVU’s defense to have force the Pitt offense into some mistakes, but I don’t fully trust the offense to execute. Two games in a row where the offense, going from fumbling the ball, to getting bullied in the trenches from an FCS and MAC opponent.
WVU’s offense has to find some sort of rhythm before going into Big 12 play, but I don’t think it happens. If WVU is going to win this game the defense will need to force turnovers before the Pitt offense crosses midfield.
Pitt 17 West Virginia 13
Cole Livengood | This season has not started the way most Mountaineer fans hoped it would. Going into the biggest game of the season, off a brutal loss, is one thing. But losing your top running back and a key wide receiver makes things even more dicey.
Alongside those two major pieces now missing, uncertainty has been brewing in the quarterback room throughout the start of the season. Amidst these setbacks, one positive has emerged. Zack Alley’s defense throughout the first two weeks has allowed just 20 points and forced five turnovers. If West Virginia has any hope this week of not entering conference play with a losing record for the third time in four seasons, it has to start with the defense.
Pitt Quarterback Eli Holstien has recorded four passing touchdowns in both games the Panthers have played this season. According to ESPN, the Mountaineers will enter this game as +6.5-point home underdogs with just a 40.6% chance of defeating the Panthers. West Virginia received a bit of good news earlier in the week with highly touted edge rusher Jimmori Robinson being declared eligible after missing two games. The Mountaineers have given up 38 points both times the Panthers have beaten them in the past three seasons.
I believe West Virginia stands its best chances by holding the Panthers under 24 points, but I just don’t see that happening this week.
Pitt 27 West Virginia 17
Shanna Rose | West Virginia is coming off a disappointing loss to Ohio University. In that loss, the Mountaineers lost wide receiver Jaden Bray and running back Jahiem White for the season. Nicco Marchiol struggled in the loss, completing 15 of 26 passes for 178 yards with an interception. WVU’s offensive line was lackluster. They didn’t do much in the way of run-blocking and were a big part of the offense’s flop. Penalties were also costly in the loss.
On the other side of the ball, the Mountaineer defense showed flashes of promise. They had three interceptions and gave the offense multiple scoring opportunities. WVU ranks 63rd nationally in rush defense, allowing 235 yards on the ground. The Mountaineers have not given up any big yard runs yet. However, one problem the defense did exhibit was stopping Ohio on third down. Pitt is 2-0 on the season and ranks in the top 10 in the country in passing and scoring. They are averaging 53 points per game.
The Panthers’ defense is no slouch either. Pitt returns 13 starters from last year’s team, including quarterback Eli Holstein, Raphael Williams, Desmond Reid, and Kenny Johnson. In two games, Holstein has 519 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions and a 70.6 completion percentage. Williams has two scores on 112 receiving yards. Against Duquesne, Reid had 112 rushing yards on 18 carries with a touchdown and six catches for 71 yards. Given the rivalry’s intensity and the bad blood between these programs, this one has the makings of a hard-fought, lower-scoring contest. WVU’s offensive woes will likely continue but the defense will contain Holstein. I still think this one belongs to the Panthers.
Pitt 17 West Virginia 14
