RIVALS Rivals Rivalry Week: Prominent programs without a rival

[Vernon]

Link: https://westvirginia.rivals.com/news/rivals-rivalry-week-prominent-programs-without-a-rival


WEST VIRGINIA

USA Today Sports
The Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pitt used to be a great college football rivalry because the two schools, while in different states, are only 75 miles away down Interstate 79. But the two schools have not met since 2011, so the rivalry has taken a hiatus at least and really awesome rivalries are played every single season. West Virginia is in a difficult spot in the Big 12, too, since there aren’t natural rivals with the conference dominated by teams in the Heartland.

 

[WVex-pat in GA]

Yea, Iowa State just doesn't cut it.

 

[3xWVUenginEER]

I think some of the rivalry and 'back in the day' talk is overrated or misremembered. To me the backyard brawl was the crystal clear image of overrated. Maybe in the 70s and early 80s, but not really since.

The game sold out 1 time at Heinz field (2002). Pitt rarely sold out their 5k allotment to come to Mountaineer Field. There was history but the schools are as different as night and day and fanbases have nothing in common in terms of size or passion or owning their market.

I always find it amazing that more than 1/2 the schools in the Big XII bring more fans from a time zone away to Mountaineer Field than the alleged rival used to from 75 miles away. Honestly Iowa State brings more fans than Pitt did.

I don't miss them or any school WVU used to play in conference other than VPI. OOC I enjoyed Maryland but that one is gone cause their AD just don't want the game anymore. really the same as VPI-didn't want another tough game..

 

[torontoeers]

I think some of the rivalry and 'back in the day' talk is overrated or misremembered. To me the backyard brawl was the crystal clear image of overrated. Maybe in the 70s and early 80s, but not really since.

The game sold out 1 time at Heinz field (2002). Pitt rarely sold out their 5k allotment to come to Mountaineer Field. There was history but the schools are as different as night and day and fanbases have nothing in common in terms of size or passion or owning their market.

I always find it amazing that more than 1/2 the schools in the Big XII bring more fans from a time zone away to Mountaineer Field than the alleged rival used to from 75 miles away. Honestly Iowa State brings more fans than Pitt did.

I don't miss them or any school WVU used to play in conference other than VPI. OOC I enjoyed Maryland but that one is gone cause their AD just don't want the game anymore. really the same as VPI-didn't want another tough game..

Agreed. ..bring back the Turkeys before sPitt....although I see both are on the schedule down the road...

 

[WVex-pat in GA]

The Backyard Brawl has a lot of history. It is a longer rivalry than the much desired Pitt/PSU match up that the Panthers want, but the Nittany Lion fans couldn`t care less about especially this year.

Did you know that the 1921 Brawl was the first ever broadcast of a college football game?

Early games were played in Pittsburgh almost exclusively, only occasionally being played in WV. Fairmont and Wheeling have hosted Brawl games. From 1963 on it had been a home and home affair with WVU leading that series. Pitt leads overall but after they lost the home field advantage WVU owns them.

It is one of college football's best rivalries and I hope it comes back. But I agree that I would rather play the Gobblers in a future series.

 

[GoWVU]

At the time I was a student, the VT series had usurped the Brawl in importance. We were also getting our clocks cleaned in most of them, which tells you where most of my hatred lies.

I don't want to play the Blacksburg trash ever again, and I mean NEVER.

 

[CAJUNEER]

The Backyard Brawl has a lot of history. It is a longer rivalry than the much desired Pitt/PSU match up that the Panthers want, but the Nittany Lion fans couldn`t care less about especially this year.

Did you know that the 1921 Brawl was the first ever broadcast of a college football game?

Early games were played in Pittsburgh almost exclusively, only occasionally being played in WV. Fairmont and Wheeling have hosted Brawl games. From 1963 on it had been a home and home affair with WVU leading that series. Pitt leads overall but after they lost the home field advantage WVU owns them.

It is one of college football's best rivalries and I hope it comes back. But I agree that I would rather play the Gobblers in a future series.

I really enjoyed the VT series. I saw the game every year as I have a friend with great seats at Lane. We would always start the day hunting. It stopped being as much fun once Jim Druckenmiller became QB.