The day following Thanksgiving could bring madness to shopping malls around the nation, but it will also bring a different kind of frenzy in West Virginia. On November 25th when the Pitt Panthers take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in this Big East fight, the 104th annual Backyard Brawl comes to Morgantown. Adding depth to this heated rivalry, only 75 miles of Interstate 79 separate these 2 fantastic schools. Both squads have a couple of things in common with one another; primarily among the similarities they both have 1st year head coaches with Todd Graham taking the reins in Pittsburgh and Dana Holgorsen top the Mountaineers. The most recent time this game was held in Morgantown in 2009, the Mountaineers defeat Pitt 19-16 on a last 2nd 43-yard FG by Tyler Bitancurt. Nonetheless at 61 wins, 39 losses, and 3 ties, Pitt holds the advantage in the total series.

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Pittsburgh comes in with a 5-5 record and a 3-2 record in the Big East Conference. They’ve gone 1-1 versus ranked opponents this season with a win over #16 South Florida and a loss versus the #23 Cincinnati Bearcats. They finish the job even if the offense and defense of the Pittsburgh Panthers are not really stellar. Their opponents are held to 22.8 points per game and the Pittsburgh Panthers average 25.6 points per game. The Pittsburgh Panthers offensive attack is lead by junior Quarterback Tino Sunseri (2,037 passing yards – 63.7 completion pct. – 125.3 rating – 9 Touchdown / 8 INT). The receiving core is directed by sophomore WR Devin Street (39 catches – 572 yards – 2 Touchdown) and the rushing attack is directed by junior Ray Graham (958 rushing yards – 5.8 yards per carry – 9 Touchdown).

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West Virginia holds court with a 7-3 record along with an identical 3-2 record in the Big East Conference. The Mountaineers also hold a 1-1 record versus ranked opponents this year. They hold a loss versus #2 LSU and a win over #23 Cincinnati. The Mountaineers are offense personified with junior juggernaut Quarterback Geno Smith (3,497 passing yards – 64.5 completion pct. – 151.5 rating – 24 Touchdown / 5 INT) top the West Virginia attack. Enemy safeties and DB’s are placed on notice by WR’s Tavon Austin (72 catches – 907 yards – 4 Touchdown) and Stedman Bailey (57 catches – 1,037 yards – 10 TD’s). Freshman Dustin Garrison (600 rushing yards – 5.5 yards per carry – 5 TD’s) leads the rushing attack.