Sports rivalries don’t come much bigger than the Backyard Brawl. Pittsburgh and West Virginia possess equal disdain for each other, making the matchup compulsive viewing for college football fanatics.
Our Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia preview contains the latest PFSN metrics, insights, and game prediction.
Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia Name Details
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
- Game time: 3:30 PM ET
- Location: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WV
- Predicted Weather at Kick off: 83 degrees, partly cloudy, 4 mph winds
- How To Watch: ESPN
Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia Head-to-Head Record
The 108th Backyard Brawl will take place in 2025, a rivalry that dates back to 1895. These sworn enemies have competed in some of the most brutal matchups in sports history, where the fury runs deep and the raging passion is bold.
Pitt currently leads the all-time series 63-41-3 but the winner has bounced between these two teams in recent seasons. The Panthers won the 2024 edition 38-34 in a high-scoring classic, meaning the Mountaineers are ready to steal the crown.
Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia Grades
PFSN College OFFi
- Pittsburgh (83.61, B)
- West Virginia (63.98, D)
PFSN College DEFi
- Pittsburgh (85.72, B)
- West Virginia (79.3, C+)
PFSN College OLi
- Pittsburgh (69.67, D+)
- West Virginia (66.17, D)
PFSN College QBi
- Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh (80.4, B-)
- Nicco Marchiol, West Virginia (68.3, D+)
PFSN College RBi
- Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh (70.84, C-)
- West Virginia (N/A)
PFSN College WRi
- Raphael Williams, Pittsburgh (79.52, C+)
- Jaden Bray, West Virginia (77.72, C+)
PFSN College TEi
- Justin Holmes, Pittsburgh (75.41, C)
- Grayson Barnes, West Virginia )71.9, C-)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Pittsburgh (N/A)
- Devin Grant, West Virginia (77.54, C+)
PFSN College DTi
- Zach Crothers, Pittsburgh (89.5, B+)
- Hammond Russell IV, West Virginia (78.78, C+)
PFSN College LBi
- Braylan Lovelace, Pittsburgh (77.36, C+)
- Chase Wilson, West Virginia (83.48, B)
PFSN College CBi
- Shawn Lee Jr., Pittsburgh (79.05, C+)
- Michael Coats Jr., West Virginia (81.03, B-)
PFSN College SAFi
- Cruce Brookins, Pittsburgh (81.97, B-)
- Kekoura Tarnue, West Virginia (88.67, B+)
Pittsburgh vs. West Virginia Prediction
One of college football’s most ferocious, fierce, and venomous rivalries, the Backyard Brawl is unmissable. And the 2025 installment promises much of the expected animosity between the two teams.
West Virginia has struggled to open the 2025 season.. The offense wilted in Week 2, scoring only 10 points against Ohio. There appears to be no surefire answer at quarterback, and a poor offensive line that received a 66.17 (D) PFSN College OLi grade in Week 2, 122nd in the nation, has made moving the ball difficult.
But what the Mountaineers have is determination. Defensively, West Virginia has dug its heels in, not conceding a point in the second half of both of their opening fixtures. LB Chase Wilson ranked 15th in the nation with a PFSN grade of 83.48 (B) in Week 2, while defensive backs Micharel Coats Jr., Kekoura Tarnue, and Darrian Lewis all received PFSN grades over 80.
But will that be enough to subdue a Pittsburgh offense that ranks 17th in the nation, averaging 7.5 yards per play?
Offensively, the Panthers have been humming through the opening weeks of the season, scoring a combined 106 points, albeit against Duquesne and Central Michigan. Meanwhile, the defense has only allowed 26 total points and lines up several athletically gifted players on the defensive line.
But form can occasionally go out of the window in rivalry games. Rich Rodriguez will be fired in his first season back in Morgantown, but the talent of the Panthers should be too great to overcome.
DraftKings makes the Panthers 7-point favorites on the road. The Mountaineers likely get a home bounce on the spread as the crowd looks to get on top of Pitt early. If Pat Narduzzi’s side can weather the noise in the first quarter, their superior talent level should shine through.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 31, West Virginia 20
