Backyard Brawl Preview – Pittsburgh Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers

It’s easy for the good folks of Pittsburgh to rag on the trailer trash that roams the fields of West Virginia, but if the Panthers get caught focusing on their matchup against fifth-ranked Cincinnati on December 5th, then the Mountaineers will cause a major uprising for themselves.

That would be sweet revenge for a Pittsburgh team that shattered West Virginia’s dreams two years ago in a rousing upset. This is a “full circle” moment for Dave Wannstedt, who knows that his Panthers began their meteoric rise with that 2007 win over the Mountaineers. The trick on Friday night is preventing his team for falling backwards with a loss.

Pittsburgh’s done a more than admirable job of protecting their college sports betting backers with a 4-2 ATS record in their last 6 games and have a strong 14-2 ATS record over the past two seasons. The main concern for the Panthers is the fact that they’re just 2-5 ATS when playing on the road in Morgantown.

Also of concern is West Virginia’s offensive heavy system  which posts 27.6 points per game and boasts a strong running back in Noel Devine who is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and has 10 touchdowns under his belt. The Mountaineers are just 1-4 ATS when playing at home, but are also 5-0 SU in that same stretch. Getting riled up for the Backyard Brawl won’t be too difficult with the rabid West Virginia fans piling in to the stadium.

Pittsburgh Panthers (9-1) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (7-3)

Friday, November 27th ---
Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown --- 7:00pm EST

NCAAF Betting Line: Pick ‘Em (49)

The Panthers have their own rushing star in the ranks with Dion Lewis who has 1,291 yards and 13 touchdowns this season as a freshman. He’s perhaps the only reason that Pittsburgh is in the top-30 for rushing offense. West Virginia’s home rushing defense allows an average of 105.5 yards on the ground, and they aren’t used to playing a tailback as prolific as Lewis.

Still, the magnitude of this game is something that even Lewis may be prepared for. There’s always a reason the oddsmakers peg a game between a top-10 team and an unranked opponent. That suspicion has me believe that Dave Wannstedt’s crew will fall exactly where they began to rise. Morgantown may have been the site of Pittsburgh’s ascension, but it will also serve as a cruel reminder that they aren’t BCS material just yet.

I’m betting on a huge performance from Noel Divine in his junior year. He’s been held out of the endzone for three straight games, but he’s blowing the doors wide open this weekend when Pittsburgh takes this game all too lightly. West Virginia has virtually nothing left to lose, and that’s a dangerous thought when Pittsburgh has so much on the line.

Furious Winning FreePick: West Virginia (UNDER)