You’ve probably heard people talk about "hate" in sports. They usually mean a Twitter spat or a mild disagreement about a referee. But if you’re standing on the border of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, that word takes on a whole different meaning. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s the Backyard Brawl.
Honestly, the West Virginia vs Pitt rivalry is one of the few things in modern college football that hasn't been completely sterilized by corporate realignment. They don’t like each other. Period.
It’s about 75 miles. That’s all that separates Morgantown from Pittsburgh. Just an hour-long burn up I-79, but it feels like crossing into a different universe. You have Pitt, the "city" school with the NFL stadium and the high-tech research labs, and then you have WVU, the "state" school that represents an entire culture of hard-working, mountain-climbing loyalty.
What Really Happened in the 2025 Thriller?
If you missed the 108th meeting on September 13, 2025, you missed a classic. West Virginia managed to claw back from a seven-point deficit in the final minutes to force overtime. The atmosphere at Milan Puskar Stadium was basically vibrating.
Tye Edwards was a man possessed. He hammered his way into the end zone three times, including the game-winner in OT to secure the 31-24 victory for the Mountaineers.
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The drama didn't end on the field, though. Pitt’s quarterback, Eli Holstein, took a legendary beating. He was sacked seven times and pressured basically every time he dropped back. After the game, a photo of a battered Holstein at the podium went viral, which WVU fans—true to form—plastered all over social media for months.
Interestingly, Holstein has since moved on to Virginia. It’s kinda funny how the portal works now, right? He’ll actually face West Virginia again in 2026, but this time in a neutral site game in Charlotte. Different jersey, same headache.
The Record Books Don't Tell the Whole Story
Pitt leads the all-time series 63–42–3. On paper, that looks like a lopsided affair, but that’s a bit of a lie. If you look at the modern era—specifically since they started rotating the game every year in 1963—West Virginia actually holds the edge.
- The 13-9 Heartbreak: Most WVU fans still can't say "2007" without flinching. The Mountaineers were ranked No. 2, ready to play for a National Championship. Pitt, a 28-point underdog, walked into Morgantown and broke their hearts.
- The 1921 Milestone: This was the first college football game ever broadcast on the radio. Harold Arlin called the game on KDKA. Pitt won 21-13, but the sport was changed forever.
- The Garbage Game: In 1961, a Pitt player reportedly called the WVU roster "Western Pennsylvania garbage." Big mistake. The Mountaineers used that as fuel to pull off a massive 20-6 upset.
Why West Virginia vs Pitt Went Away (And Why It’s Back)
We can blame conference realignment for the ten-year gap between 2012 and 2021. When WVU moved to the Big 12 and Pitt headed to the ACC, the scheduling gods decided to rob us of this game.
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It was a tragedy for the sport. Thankfully, the adults in the room finally figured it out.
Director of Athletics Wren Baker recently announced that the Backyard Brawl has been extended through 2036. That is massive news. While there’s a small break coming up—we won’t see them on the gridiron again until 2029—the schedule is locked in for an eight-year run after that.
Future Schedule at a Glance
Since we have to wait a bit, here is where the next decade of West Virginia vs Pitt is heading:
- September 8, 2029: Back at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
- September 7, 2030: Morgantown gets its turn.
- 2031-2032: A home-and-home that will likely define careers.
- 2033-2036: The newly signed extension that keeps the brawl alive through the mid-2030s.
The Cultural Divide is Real
This isn't just about football. It’s a clash of identities. Pitt represents the urban professional, the "Steel City" evolution into a medical and tech hub. West Virginia is the underdog. It’s the school that feels like it’s fighting for the respect of the entire Appalachian region.
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You see it in the recruiting battles. These two staffs are constantly tripping over each other in the same high schools in Western PA and Ohio. A kid from Homestead or Aliquippa choosing WVU over Pitt is seen as a betrayal in some circles and a rescue mission in others.
It’s also surprisingly civil—until the ball is kicked. Then the "Eat S— Pitt" chants start, the coal power plants and steel mills are invoked, and it becomes the most intense four hours in the Eastern Time Zone.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on catching the next wave of this rivalry, you need to be prepared. This isn't a "show up ten minutes before kickoff" kind of game.
- Secure Tickets Early: When the 2029 game rolls around, tickets will be gone in seconds. If you aren't a season ticket holder, expect to pay a 300% markup on the secondary market.
- The Travel Rule: If you’re driving from Morgantown to Pittsburgh (or vice versa) on game day, double your travel time. I-79 becomes a parking lot.
- Know Your History: Don't be the person who doesn't know what "13-9" refers to. It’s the quickest way to lose credibility in a tailgate argument.
- Neutral Site Games: Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule. While it’s not a "Brawl" against Pitt, the WVU vs Virginia game in Charlotte will feature plenty of familiar faces, including ex-Panther Eli Holstein.
The Backyard Brawl is the heartbeat of regional college football. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s exactly what the sport needs more of. Even with the upcoming three-year hiatus, the fire isn't going out anytime soon.
To stay ahead of the game, make sure your alumni associations are active. Whether you're singing "Country Roads" or "Hail to Pitt," the next few years of scheduling maneuvers will dictate who owns the bragging rights for the next generation. Keep your eyes on the 2029 ticket releases—they’ll be the hottest commodity in the region.