An intriguing update has emerged in the ongoing Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia debate, adding fresh fuel to the rivalry. In Week 3 of the college football season, the Mountaineers will host the Panthers on Saturday, Sept. 13, with a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN. West Virginia’s shocking loss to Ohio last week leaves it searching for a win amid a head coaching and athletic director controversy that has yet to be solved.
Why Did Pat Narduzzi Make False Claims About West Virginia?
Pittsburgh and West Virginia are no strangers to one another. The rivals have played each other every year since 2022, with all but one of those matchups taking place in Week 3. No. 17 Pittsburgh came out on top in Week 1 of the 2022 season, a rare Thursday night matchup that ended in a 38-31 victory. In 2023, West Virginia got its revenge with a 17-6 win. Last year, the results echoed 2022, as the Panthers won, 38-34.
Pat Narduzzi has been Pittsburgh’s head coach since 2015. This was his first head coaching gig, and he has accumulated a 74-56 record over the years. However, the 2021 ACC Champion recently made some comments about West Virginia University that were quickly rebutted.
This is dumb. WVU AD Wren Baker literally said HE reached out to Pitt. But regardless who reached out to who, the only way it would’ve worked is if Pitt either agreed to go to Morgantown back-to-back years or WVU gave up a home game. Saying WVU doesn’t want to play is a lie. https://t.co/j5H0hY12Bz
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) September 9, 2025
“Maybe they didn’t want to play us, I don’t know,” Narduzzi said. After West Virginia canceled its 2026-27 series with Alabama, things got interesting. Narduzzi’s comments held no merit once Wren Baker, West Virginia’s Athletic Director, had his say.
WV Sports Now editor, Mike Asti, responded to Narduzzi’s remarks, stating, “This is dumb. WVU AD Wren Baker literally said HE reached out to Pitt. But regardless who reached out to who, the only way it would’ve worked is if Pitt either agreed to go to Morgantown back-to-back years or WVU gave up a home game. Saying WVU doesn’t want to play is a lie.”
In fact, the Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia games are much more competitive than any Mountaineers series with the Crimson Tide would have been. Alabama may like to schedule some unusual early games in the season, though it’s no surprise that Kalen DeBoer’s squad will do anything to pad its wins, especially after a Week 1 loss to Florida State.
MORE: Rich Rodriguez Has No Words on WVU Defense as He Adopts Unexpected Approach to Keep Focus
After a 45-3 win in Week 1, the Mountaineers were stunned by the Bobcats last week. They managed to score just one touchdown as Nicco Marchiol had an off day. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound junior quarterback completed just 15 passes for 178 yards with an interception. In comparison, Cam Vaughn had 127 receiving yards in Week 1 alone.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has put up 106 points in its first two games. The Panthers have outscored their opponents by 80 points, so West Virginia knows it has its work cut out for it. While no team has won two straight games in the last three meetings, there is a bit of extra animosity and turmoil heading into Saturday afternoon’s matchup.
