The West Virginia Mountaineers and the Pittsburgh Panthers have been bitter rivals since shortly after our nation’s Civil War.  West Virginia and then-named Western University of Pennsylvania have since played a total of 99 times.  The rivalry has seen its share of great players, great plays, and historic finishes.  However, their may be more at stake in 2007’s centennial edition of the Backyard Brawl than any other one before it.

West Virginia clinched another Big East title with a 66-21 victory over Connecticut last Saturday afternoon.  To the victor go the spoils.  Or should I say spoil-ers.  The 100^th edition of the Backyard Brawl takes place Saturday night and the Panthers would love nothing more than to ruin their rival's chance to play in the BCS National Championship game.  On paper it would appear that West Virginia should dominate the Panthers in a game that would be no more exciting than the 11^th season of Big Brother.  However, when hated rivals meet in the last game of the season, all bets are off. 

Pittsburgh will bring a talented young team to Morgantown led by freshman Quarterback Pat Bostick.  Bostick has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards and 8 touchdowns in nine games this season.  Despite the Panthers limited success at putting up tallies in the win column, Bostick has been a proficient passer, completing over 60 percent of his passes.

Bostick’s two main targets of the receiving group are TJ Porter and Oderick Turner.  Turner leads the team with 5 touchdown receptions and 467 yards receiving.  Porter, despite having not caught a touchdown pass this season has 35 receptions for 327 yards.

The Panther rushing attack is also led by a freshman, LeSean McCoy.  McCoy has been a shining bright light for the Panthers this season rushing for nearly 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns.  McCoy has carried the ball at least 10 times in every game this season, so expect to see McCoy handed the ball early and often on Saturday night.

With a solid rushing option in LeSean McCoy and a proficient quarterback under center one would think that Pittsburgh would be lighting up the scoreboard this season.  However, the Panthers average only 23 points per contest and have only mustered more than 30 points only three times this season, only one of those games resulted in a Panther victory. 

Despite Pittsburgh's struggles on defense this season the Panthers rank 11^th in the nation in total defense, but have not kept people off of the scoreboard ranking 50^th in scoring defense.  The one bright spot for the Panther defense this season has been it’s passing defense which ranks 7^th in the nation giving up only 175 yards per game.  However, the Panther rush defense ranks only 41^st giving up over 130 yards on the ground per game. 

At the moment West Virginia sits at #2 in the current BCS Standings.  With a win the Mountaineers will likely be guaranteed a spot in the National Championship game on January 7^th in New Orleans.  The Backyard Brawl may be one of the most underrated rivalries in college football, but this Saturday night’s game may be one of the most watched in recent history as both bragging rights and a Championship game berth are on the line.

The game is scheduled for a 7:45 PM kickoff and will be televised by ESPN.

Prediction:  WVU – 52 Pitt – 14