It’s a weird feeling. You walk through the North Shore in Pittsburgh or down College Ave in State College on a Saturday in September, and there’s this phantom limb sensation. Something is missing. For decades, the Pitt Penn State football rivalry was the absolute sun around which the entire Commonwealth orbited. Then, the Big Ten expanded, the Big East crumbled, and suddenly, the most visceral hate in Pennsylvania sports was relegated to a "scheduling conflict."
Honestly, it’s frustrating.
If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, this wasn't just a game; it was a cultural referendum. It decided which side of the Pennsylvania Turnpike got bragging rights for the next 364 days. Today, the rivalry is in a state of cryogenic suspension. Fans are left arguing over historical winning percentages and "who needs who more," while the actual trophies gather dust. But don't let the lack of a scheduled date fool you. The tension between the Panthers and the Nittany Lions is just as high-voltage as it was when Jackie Sherrill and Joe Paterno were staring each other down from opposite sidelines.
The 100-Year War that basically stopped
The history of Pitt Penn State football is a long, jagged line of classic moments and bitter exits. They first met in 1893. Think about that. That's before the Ford Model T was a thing. Over 100 games later, the series stands with Penn State holding a significant lead, though Pitt fans will quickly point out that the late 70s belonged to them.
The rivalry thrived because it was a clash of identities. You had Pitt, the gritty, urban powerhouse playing in the shadows of the steel mills (and later at Three Rivers Stadium and Heinz Field). Then you had Penn State, the "Happy Valley" institution, isolated in the center of the state, representing the sprawling rural and suburban alumni base.
It worked. It worked so well that the 1982 game is still cited by many as one of the most intense atmospheres in college football history. Dan Marino. Todd Blackledge. National title implications. It was the peak of the sport.
Then came the 90s.
Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, and the logistics of the rivalry started to fray. The "national" focus of the Nittany Lions began to drift toward Columbus and Ann Arbor, while Pitt struggled through the transition of the Big East and eventually the ACC. The series went on a massive hiatus after 2000, only to be revived for a brief, glorious four-year window from 2016 to 2019.
Those four games proved one thing: the hate never left.
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When Pitt won that 42-39 thriller at Heinz Field in 2016, the city felt like it was on fire. It was the largest crowd to ever watch a sporting event in Pittsburgh history. That’s the power of this matchup. It’s not just "another game" on the schedule. It's a fundamental part of the state's sports DNA that current conference alignments have basically tried to lobotomize.
What most people get wrong about the "dead" rivalry
A common narrative you’ll hear—mostly from the Penn State side—is that the rivalry is "just another game" or that Pitt is "just another opponent."
That’s mostly posturing.
When you look at the recruiting trails, the Pitt Penn State football battle is happening every single day. James Franklin and Pat Narduzzi are constantly fighting over the same four-star linebackers in Western PA and the Philly suburbs. Even if the teams aren't hitting each other on the field, they are hitting each other in the living rooms of recruits.
There's also this misconception that the rivalry ended because one team outgrew the other.
The reality is much more boring and corporate. It’s about the nine-game conference schedule in the Big Ten. It’s about the desire for "home-and-home" series against different Power Four schools to maximize TV revenue. Penn State wants to play in Florida or Texas for recruiting visibility. Pitt wants to maintain its presence in the ACC footprint.
But you can’t tell me that Penn State vs. Delaware or Pitt vs. Wofford is better for the fans than the Keystone Classic. Nobody actually believes that. Fans want the vitriol. They want the "Paterno vs. Sherrill" energy. They want to see the blue and white clash with the blue and gold.
The Narduzzi vs. Franklin dynamic
Pat Narduzzi is essentially the perfect coach for a rivalry like this. He wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s defensive-minded, and he doesn't mind being the "villain" in the eyes of Nittany Lion fans. On the other side, James Franklin has built Penn State into a consistent top-15 program, focusing on the "1-0" mentality that often downplays specific rivalries to keep players focused.
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This creates a fascinating friction. Narduzzi will occasionally take a jab at Penn State’s scheduling or their "unrivaled" slogan. Franklin will stay "on brand" and focus on the Big Ten gauntlet.
It’s a chess match played through press conferences.
The numbers that actually matter
If we look at the all-time series, Penn State leads 53–43–4. It’s close enough to be competitive but lopsided enough for Penn State fans to claim dominance.
Pitt’s claim to fame remains that 1976 National Championship and the absolute dominance they had during the Tony Dorsett era. Penn State counters with 1982 and 1986, plus their sustained success through the late 90s and the current era under Franklin.
But here is a stat that doesn't show up in the record books: television ratings.
Every time these two teams play, the TV numbers are massive. Local markets in Scranton, Harrisburg, Johnstown, and Erie see spikes that rival the Super Bowl. That is the leverage Pitt fans use when they argue for a permanent game. From a purely business perspective, the game is a gold mine.
So why aren't they playing?
- Big Ten Scheduling: The Big Ten’s move to nine conference games makes it harder to fit a permanent non-conference rival.
- Neutral Site Arguments: There have been talks about playing at the Eagles’ stadium in Philly, but both schools generally prefer the revenue from home games.
- The "Unrivaled" Philosophy: Penn State has leaned into the idea that they don't have one specific "main" rival (like Michigan/Ohio State), which de-prioritizes the Pitt game.
What happens next?
Right now, the future of Pitt Penn State football is a giant question mark. There are no games scheduled for the foreseeable future. With the landscape of college football shifting toward "Super Conferences" and the 12-team playoff, there’s a slim hope that these two could meet in the postseason.
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Imagine a Pitt-Penn State matchup in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The state might actually split in half.
But until then, we are stuck with the debates. We are stuck with the "what ifs." We are stuck watching highlights of 2016 or 1981 on YouTube.
If you're a fan who wants this game back, the only real path is through the wallets. Athletic directors respond to ticket sales and TV demand. The more vocal the fanbases are about wanting this specific matchup over a cupcake "buy game," the more likely the administration is to find a way to make the logistics work.
The reality is that college football is losing its regional soul. We’re trading games like Pitt-Penn State for matchups like Rutgers-USC. While that might make the Big Ten more money, it kills the localized passion that made the sport special in the first place.
Pennsylvania deserves better.
How to stay engaged with the rivalry today
Even without a game on the calendar, you can still track the heat of the Keystone Classic through these specific avenues:
1. Monitor the Recruiting "Flips"
Keep a close eye on 247Sports or On3 rankings for the top 20 players in Pennsylvania. Whenever a player who was "leaning" toward State College ends up at Pitt (or vice versa), the message boards light up. This is where the rivalry lives in 2026.
2. Support Regional Non-Conference Games
When Pitt or Penn State schedules other regional "old-school" opponents (like West Virginia or Temple), show up. High attendance at these games proves to the networks that regionality still sells tickets and drives ratings.
3. Follow the Coaching Pressers
Pat Narduzzi and James Franklin are rarely asked about each other directly anymore, but the subtext is often there. Listen for comments about "in-state recruiting" or "strength of schedule."
4. Pressure the ADs
If you are a season ticket holder or a donor, make your voice heard. The current AD at Pitt, Heather Lyke, has been vocal about wanting to play the game. The ball is often in Penn State's court regarding their non-conference philosophy. Consistent fan feedback is the only thing that moves the needle in the boardroom.