Pitt-WVU is one of the most under-rated rivalries in college football. While this is understandable - given the fact that - usually, in the past, one or both of the teams were doormats - this has not been the case the past few years. This year, this game could vault Pitt into a great position for a BCS Bowl, or allow WVU to get in position to sneak into a New Year's Day bowl game.
The great thing about this game is that a lot of the players know each other - and were heavily recruited by both teams. But - the big thing about this game is that Pitt and WVU fans absolutely hate one another. I was at last year's game at the otherwise sterile/antiseptic Heinz Field, and the place was absolutely electric. You could sense the hatred between the WVU fans and Pitt fans just sitting in the stands. I had never experienced this "elecricity" at a game at Heinz Field (and I am a Steeler season ticket holder who even attended the AFC Championship game loss to the Pats).
Saturday's game is going to be a great knockdown, drag-out battle. I hope that we can run for +100 yards and that Rutherford has time to at least try to throw to Fitzgerald. I also hope that he looks for his other receivers (Walker, Wilson, Brockenbrough and the freshman - Greg Lee) if WVU doubles and triples Larry - like he did so well in the second half against VT.
The Pitt defense is, naturally, the huge question mark. Quincy Wilson could easily put up the kind of numbers that the "Joneses" put up against us in the Notre Dame and VT games. And - Marshall absolutely killed us in last year's game. While I am pretty confident about Pitt's offense, the WVU offense really scares me.
Thus - even though I have a good feeling about this game, and I wouldn't be shocked if we pull out a close one - if I am being totally rational, I see Wilson and Marshall having big days, with WVU winning 33-21.
But - being a rivalry game - there's always hope. My dad and I will be glued to the set on Saturday night...
The great thing about this game is that a lot of the players know each other - and were heavily recruited by both teams. But - the big thing about this game is that Pitt and WVU fans absolutely hate one another. I was at last year's game at the otherwise sterile/antiseptic Heinz Field, and the place was absolutely electric. You could sense the hatred between the WVU fans and Pitt fans just sitting in the stands. I had never experienced this "elecricity" at a game at Heinz Field (and I am a Steeler season ticket holder who even attended the AFC Championship game loss to the Pats).
Saturday's game is going to be a great knockdown, drag-out battle. I hope that we can run for +100 yards and that Rutherford has time to at least try to throw to Fitzgerald. I also hope that he looks for his other receivers (Walker, Wilson, Brockenbrough and the freshman - Greg Lee) if WVU doubles and triples Larry - like he did so well in the second half against VT.
The Pitt defense is, naturally, the huge question mark. Quincy Wilson could easily put up the kind of numbers that the "Joneses" put up against us in the Notre Dame and VT games. And - Marshall absolutely killed us in last year's game. While I am pretty confident about Pitt's offense, the WVU offense really scares me.
Thus - even though I have a good feeling about this game, and I wouldn't be shocked if we pull out a close one - if I am being totally rational, I see Wilson and Marshall having big days, with WVU winning 33-21.
But - being a rivalry game - there's always hope. My dad and I will be glued to the set on Saturday night...
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