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College Football: Top 15 rivalry games we’d like to see return in 2020

By David Glancy

COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies attempts to catch a pass against Carrington Byndom #23 of the Texas Longhorns in the first half of a game at Kyle Field on November 24, 2011 in College Station, Texas. The pass was incomplete. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Jeff Fuller #8 of the Texas A&M Aggies attempts to catch a pass against Carrington Byndom #23 of the Texas Longhorns in the first half of a game at Kyle Field on November 24, 2011 in College Station, Texas. The pass was incomplete. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images) /
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MORGANTOWN, WV – DECEMBER 1: Defensive lineman Chris McKillop #41 defends as linebacker Jemeel Brady #24 of the Pittsburgh Panthers forces a fumble by backup quarterback Jarrett Brown #16 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Milan Puskar Stadium on December 1, 2007 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Pittsburgh defeated West Virginia 13-9. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV – DECEMBER 1: Defensive lineman Chris McKillop #41 defends as linebacker Jemeel Brady #24 of the Pittsburgh Panthers forces a fumble by backup quarterback Jarrett Brown #16 of the West Virginia Mountaineers during the second half at Milan Puskar Stadium on December 1, 2007 in Morgantown, West Virginia. Pittsburgh defeated West Virginia 13-9. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

6. Pitt vs. West Virginia

Games played: 104
Series record: Pitt leads 61-40-3
Last played: 2011
Rivalry name: Backyard Brawl
Next meeting: 2022

The Pitt Panthers and West Virginia Mountaineers have met 104 times over the rivalry’s history ranging from 1895 to the 2011 finale. The two schools, just 75 miles apart is the 14th most played rivalry in the country despite the hiatus in the series after each school left the Big East following the 2011 season.

The two played almost every year from the rivalries beginning with short breaks in the early 1900s until the series was played each year from 1943 through the finale.

Despite West Virginia winning the first three contests, the Panthers dominated the series early, going on a 15-game winning streak lasting from 1929-1946. Pitt, a national title contender from the mid 1970s to early 1980s once again owned the Mountaineers going on a seven-game win streak that was eventually snapped in 1983 when the Panthers lost to a No. 7 West Virginia team in Morgantown, resulting in the first season West Virginia finished above the Pitt since 1973, despite multiple top 25 finishes.

While the two schools played the majority of their rivalry as independents, the Backyard Brawl continued when both programs joined the Big East until their departures to the ACC and Big 12. The series which was generally played earlier in the season was pushed back to late November, generally over Thanksgiving or as a season finale beginning in 1997. During this time, West Virginia became Pitt’s most played opponent after the halt of the Pitt-Penn State series.

West Virginia took control of the rivalry after the move to the Big East, owning a 14-7 series lead over the Panthers and winning the conference title or joint title in seven seasons compared to Pitt’s two. The history of the Backyard Brawl, however, would not be completed without a recap of the 100th meeting between the two on December 1, 2007.

West Virginia at the height of their success, entered the game at 10-1 and ranked No. 2 with a win solidifying their spot in the national championship. With a potent offense led by Pat White, Steve Slaton, and Noel Devine, the Mountaineers were outscoring opponents 42-16 and a home win against Dave Wannstedt’s struggling 4-7 Panthers in Morgantown looked to be an easy victory.

Pitt coming off back-to-back losses against Rutgers and South Florida, were out of bowl contention and went into the game as 28.5-point underdogs with spoiler on the mind.

After dealing with a dislocated thumb on White’s non-throwing hand in the second quarter, the Mountaineers struggled to move the ball, taking a 7-3 lead into the half. Pitt, led by a freshman LeSean McCoy controlled the ball, playing stifling defense and giving him 38 carries on the day.

With Pitt playing strong defense and the West Virginia offense struggling with poor play-calling, turnovers, and missed field goals, the Panthers entered the final minutes up 13-7 with a silent West Virginia crowd. The game ended with Pitt’s punter running through the end zone as time expired, claiming the 13-9 upset and ending West Virginia’s championship run.

West Virginia coach, Rich Rodriguez would leave for Michigan shortly after the loss, and while the Mountaineers ended the season beating No. 4 Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, have not been as close to a title since.

While the Mountaineers finished the series as the stronger program, winning the final three games, the 100th meeting will never be forgotten by either program and will be emphasized again when the two meet in 2022.

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