By: Jonathan K. Martin | WV Sports Chat
The 108th Backyard Brawl kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, as West Virginia (1-1) take on the Pitt Panthers (2-0) in a rivalry clash broadcast nationally on ESPN.
After a disappointing 17-10 loss to Ohio, where the Mountaineers’ offense struggled, the defense—under new coordinator Zac Alley—has been a bright spot, allowing just 10 points per game and forcing three turnovers per game.
Facing a Pitt offense averaging 53 points and 462 yards per game, led by quarterback Eli Holstein and running back Desmond Reid, WVU’s defense will need to continue their production to keep this game close.
Here are three bold predictions the West Virginia defense against Pitt.
WVU’s Defense Forces Three Turnovers, Including a Momentum-Shifting Pick-Six
WVU’s defense faces a daunting task against Pitt’s offense, which averages 462 yards and 53 points per game, led by quarterback Eli Holstein’s 519 passing yards and eight touchdowns.
The Mountaineers will force three turnovers—two interceptions and a fumble recovery—with a game-changing pick-six in the second half.
As Pitt presses to close a narrow deficit, a pressured Holstein will misread coverage, allowing a WVU defensive back to return an interception for a touchdown, flipping the game’s momentum. These turnovers will disrupt Pitt’s rhythm and provide WVU’s offense with short fields, a critical factor in a rivalry where six of the last eight games have been decided by seven points or less.
The Mountaineers Hold Pitt Under 100 Rushing Yards, Bottling Up Desmond Reid
Pitt’s offense leans on its passing game, but running back Desmond Reid is a dual-threat weapon who torched WVU in last year’s Brawl.
West Virginia’s defense will rise to the challenge, holding Pitt under 100 rushing yards by neutralizing Reid and limiting Holstein’s scrambling ability.
Chase Wilson Posts 12+ Tackles and a Sack
If West Virginia is going to have much of a chance the defense needs to be productive and continue to force turnovers. One name to keep an eye on is Chase Wilson.
As the quarterback of Alley’s aggressive scheme, Wilson will erupt for 12 tackles and a sack, embodying WVU’s turnover-forcing identity.
Wilson’s sideline-to-sideline range disrupts Holstein’s rhythm, limiting Pitt’s offensive ability for the first time this year.
phot credit: Dominion Post
