WVU football: the Backyard Brawl will be renewed in 2022

Brothers can have a strange relationship, whether it’s the constant, ever-present competition in everyday life or the unintentional history shared by living in such close proximity. In the case of the Mountaineers and Panthers, this is no different.

PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Jeff Hostetler #15 of the West Virginia Mountaineers looks to pass as he runs with the football against the University of Pittsburgh Panthers during a college football game at Pitt Stadium on October 2, 1982 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Pitt Panthers defeated West Virginia 16-13. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

Some would say the football history between West Virginia and Pittsburgh resembles a brotherhood. In contrast, others would be offended even being mentioned in the same breath as the other. Still, one thing remains true: the two do share a backyard and will square off for the first time since 2011 this September.

The Brawl is back!

12 SEP 1992: UNIVERSITY OF WEST VIRGINIA WIDE RECEIVER MIKE BARB #7 CELEBRATES AFTER MAKING A CATCH DURING THE MOUNTAINEERS 44-6 WIN OVER THE UNIVERSITY OF PITT PANTHERS AT PITT STADIUM IN PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

The Mountaineers currently have a three-game win streak in the series, the most recent of those wins being a 21-20 victory in Morgantown in 2011. Following a ten-year hiatus, the two have decided to renew the series as the Panthers host the Mountaineers on September 1st at Heinz Field.

The two schools’ football teams have competed 104 times since their first match-up in 1895. They share the 14th oldest rivalry in college football history, with the Panthers leading the all-time series, 60-40-3.

While most of the Panthers’ success was early in the rivalry (longest win streak Pitt had a 15-game win streak spanning from 1929 – 1946), the Mountaineers have seen increasing success in the modern era.

West Virginia looks to even the score

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – DECEMBER 31: The West Virginia Mountaineers celebrate after winning a game against Army Black Knights at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on December 31, 2020 in Memphis, Tennessee. The Mountaineers defeated the Black Knights 24-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Since 1985, the Mountaineers have established their own dominance over Pitt. Since ’85, the Mountaineers have turned the tide of the rivalry with a record of 16-9-1 against the Panthers.

It would appear the Mountaineers have been the better team in recent years and will look to continue their tradition of success against their hated rival.

Pitt will be coming off of an ACC championship in 2021; however, it took a bad loss to WMU at home. With WVU and Pitt losing their starting quarterbacks, it is hard to gauge how the two teams will stack up come September.

Conference realignments have halted numerous traditional rivalries such as Texas vs Texas A&M, Penn State vs Pitt, and Kansas vs Missouri. It will be exciting to see such storied rivals be reunited on the field once again.