Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. Pitt
Schuyler Callihan: West Virginia 28, Pitt 24.
If we're being completely honest, West Virginia gifted last year's game to Pitt. They had multiple chances to win the game in the fourth quarter, but a decision to not go for it on 4th and short in addition to the pick-six at the end of the game sealed WVU's fate. That was a much better Pitt football team than the one the Mountaineers will face this Saturday. Don't get me wrong, this is still a talented roster, but they lost a ton of production on the defensive side of the ball and it showed in last week's loss to Cincinnati, allowing 216 yards on the ground.
I imagine we'll have a similar pace to last year's Brawl with both offenses struggling out of the gate as they try to settle in and fight the jitters off. Once both offensive units settle in, we should see a good bit of back and forth with Pitt taking advantage of at weak WVU secondary and the Mountaineers attempting to gash the Panthers on the ground.
The atmosphere in Morgantown on Saturday night should be the best we've seen in quite some time. With this one being at home, I see West Virginia pulling out a tight one-score victory to move to 2-1 on the season.
Christopher Hall: West Virginia 31, Pitt 30
Pitt lost its top five producers on both sides of the ball following last season and the Panthers deficiencies came into fold last week in a home loss to Cincinnati, giving up five sacks while the defense allowed 216 yards on the ground.
West Virginia had an early test at Penn State to open the season before getting a tune up game against Duquesne last week. The secondary has shown little improvement from a year ago after two games, but the WVU coaching staff indicated during the week changes will be made and they have not fully opened the playbook thus far.
Pitt QB Phil Jurkovec was 10-32 last week, and playing in a hostile environment may prove difficult for an offense trying to find its footing. Meanwhile, the Mountaineer offense will lean on talented backfield.
I've suspected West Virginia will win big throughout the offseason and heading into the week, but the Backyard Brawl is not for the faint of heart.
WVU Garrett Greene will be the difference, using his legs to move the chains but a receiver will have to step up and make big plays to put the Mountaineers over the top. Redshirt freshman Hudson Clement's 177 yards and three touchdowns gives optimism to an underwhelming unit, and NC State transfer Devin Carter is healthy for week 3. WVU finds a way late to avenge last year's loss 31-30.
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