You’d be hard-pressed to find a more vocal supporter of WVU football than Pat McAfee.
The West Virginia alum and former NFL punter played for the Mountaineers from 2005-2008, and currently spends his time hosting The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN and serving as an analyst on ESPN College GameDay. On Thursday’s edition of his show, McAfee joined calls from his former coach Rich Rodriguez, currently leading the Mountaineers for the second time in his career, to bring College GameDay to Morgantown this season for the Backyard Brawl between WVU and Pitt.
We NEED College GameDay to be at West Virginia for the Backyard Brawl..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 31, 2025
That rivalry NEEDS to be showcased #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/FoprZxFAys
“I’ve thought about if GameDay wants to go to Pitt/West Virginia, which is week three,” McAfee said. “I think both teams need to do their shit the first couple weeks so we can make that happen.”
McAfee believes the rivalry deserves more attention than it has gotten in recent years from the college football world, and with the two teams set to meet this September for the final time until 2029 – unless the teams can alter their future schedules – he sees it as the perfect time to make it happen.
“I think that will be an incredible scene. It will showcase a rivalry that hasn’t been showcased in awhile, and deservedly needs a spotlight and attention. Two football places taking each other on in a big, big way,” he said. “If we’re able to get to that, that’d be great. And there’s a good chance we’ll get to that game.”
A decision on where GameDay heads on September 13, which is the date for the 2025 Backyard Brawl, will not be made for over a month. But WVU fans will hope McAfee can use his sway as an analyst on the program to bring the show to Morgantown.