Week 14: Pittsburgh at West Virginia

It will be the final home game for 15 West Virginia seniors.

It will be the 100th edition of the Backyard Brawl.

Oh yeah. And if WVU defeats Pittsburgh, it will be a near lock to play in the Jan. 7 Bowl Championship Series national championship.

A lot of pressure maybe. But Mountaineer coach Rich Rodriguez said it sure lifts his burden of motivating the troops.

“You’ve got all kinds of factors, so this is an easy one to do,” Rodriguez said. “What I don’t want our guys to do is get too tight and realize there’s so much on the line. Our guys know that, but you’re better off just understanding the importance of preparation. And once the game gets here, just have some fun.”

The Mountaineers did so last week. Knowing the BCS door was open after an LSU loss, West Virginia stormed through it by drubbing then-No. 20 Connecticut 66-21.

This game, though, is a different kind of animal. Although WVU is an overwhelming favorite, the two teams have been playing since 1895. They’ve met every year since 1943. So Pitt won’t be intimidated by their neighbors an hour and a half to the south. The Panthers, in fact, own a commanding 59-37-3 advantage in the series.

And its always been a bitter rivalry. The city boys against the country boys. A quote that lives in WVU-Pitt infamy came from a Panther player back in 1961. WVU had struggled through an 0-8-2 season in 1960 and owned a 1-3 record as the ‘61 game approached.

“Sure they’re rebuilding,” said the Pitt player, “but like I said last year, they’re rebuilding with garbage.”

Then-Mountaineer coach Gene Corum showed his team the quote. West Virginia won 20-6.

“It’s Pitt and West Virginia,” said current Panther coach Dave Wannstedt. “They’re the Big East champion right now and that’s motivation.

“When you’re struggling like we are, you’re always looking for things to add to the game. Playing West Virginia and the rivalry is one thing and now you’re playing a real quality team – one of the best in the country, maybe the best in the country.”

There are signs Pitt can put up a battle. The Panthers may be 4-7, but they boast the nation’s No. 11 total defense. Middle linebacker Scott McKillop is the nation’s leading tackler, averaging 12.9 per game.

Also, the Panthers’ secondary – led by cornerbacks Aaron Berry and Kennard Cox – have helped the team become the No. 7 pass defense nationally.

The downside for Pitt is West Virginia rarely passes. The Mountaineers have the nation’s No. 2 rushing attack (averaging 310 yards on the ground) and are led by quarterback Pat White, who has been dazzling down the stretch.

White is second in the Big East in pass efficiency and has climbed to third place among league rushers, averaging 104 yards a game.

What sinks opponents, though, is the threat of White as well as blazing tailbacks Steve Slaton and Noel Devine. At times, all three will line up in the backfield. Then there’s Owen Schmitt, perhaps the nation’s top fullback.

If Pittsburgh’s defense can slow WVU’s spread attack, the pressure may move to Panther freshman quarterback Pat Bostick. Last week, though, Wannstedt talked about benching Bostick, last among Big East starting QBs in pass efficiency and seventh in passing.

Wannstedt also bluffed about sitting freshman tailback LeSean McCoy, perhaps Pitt’s brightest spot this season. McCoy is averaging more yards (107.3) than Slaton (104).

In this game, though, McCoy may have a tough go. West Virginia is ranked first in the Big East against the rush and 13th nationally.

WVU’s pass defense is No. 15, allowing an average of 195 yards. But quarterbacks like Louisville’s Brian Brohm, Cincinnati’s Ben Mauk and Connecticut’s Tyler Lorenzen did find holes in the last three games.

“There will be a lot at stake – and that’s just going to give us more motivation,” said WVU defensive back and punt returner Vaughn Rivers. “It will be the 100th Backyard Brawl. You don’t need to add more motivation to that game. But knowing our national championship chances are on the line... you don’t have to worry about us showing up to play.”

Don’t expect West Virginia to roll like it did against Connecticut, but, before another rowdy Morgantown crowd, do expect the Mountaineers to get the job done.

West Virginia by 22