Showdown in the Big East

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Showdown in the Big East

November 27th 2008 08:56

Happy Thanksgiving!

Oaky! So, it may not have the glamor of Texas vs. Oaklahoma or Michigan vs. Ohio State but with both teams playing for a decent bowl, you can't downplay the importance of tomorrow's Pitt-West Virginia game.

Here's a shot from back in 1908 when Pitt emerged with an 11-0 victory.

Better known as the Backyard Brawl, this game is one of the longest rivalries in college football with over 100 contest being played. As with most rivalries, these two teams don't like each other. You can say that about most rivalries in college football but this time it's for real! I've been at both team's stadiums and it's not unusual for fans to assault one another either verbally, physically, or both and you're almost sure to see a player or two be assisted from the field.

Coming into the season, West Virginia was the team to beat in the Big East. However, after losing backs Steve Slayton and Owen Schmidt to the pros, and losing a head coach who shall remain nameless, they've seen their troubles.

As for Pitt, they were a dark horse but it's put up or shut up time for head coach Dave Wannstedt. Since his arrival at Pitt, he's asked for patience, promised results, and had to make excuses. Now, the players he recruited as freshmen have aged to the point that Pitt has flirted with national prominence by rising in and out of the nation's Top 25.

Last year Pitt beat West Virginia in Morgantown when West Virginia was ranked No. 2 and spoiled the Mountaineer's hopes to play for the national title. Will revenge play a factor in this game? I'm a WVU fan but I have to say it really doesn't matter. This game lost its luster last weekend after Pitt lost to Cincinnati.

Although West Virginia won their contest with Louisville, they still trail Cincinnati in the Big East. Since the Bearcats beat the Mountaineers earlier in the season, they have the tie breaker should they finish the season with a record identical to WVU. West Virginia still has one conference game after this one and while a conference championship is not out of the question, they would have to win out and get help along the way.

For Pitt, they'd best look toward next year if they want a championship. At best, both WVU and Pitt are playing for respectable bowls and West Virginia is hoping for another Jan. 1 bowl.

Being a long time West Virginia fan has taught me one thing--despite recent bowl success West Virginia has a history of choking in big games. The Big East as a whole, and this game in particular, is always tough to predict but I have to give Pitt the home field advantage here and call this one 31-28.

Thanks to Wikipedia for the Pitt-WVU picture!

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