Morgantown Melee

Kickoff is still three days away, but it’s never too soon to begin discussing the annual Backyard Brawl. Morgantown’s Mountaineers host the Pittsburgh Panthers on Black Friday for the 102nd meeting between the Big East neighbors. West Virginia comes in to the game with a 7-3 record. The Panthers are 9-1 overall and boast one of the top offensive lines and strongest defenses in the conference. Pittsburgh is 5-0 in Big East play but will be playing the Backyard Brawl on enemy territory. Anytime the Mountaineers play in Morgantown, they have a chance to win. It will take a very solid West Virginia effort and possibly a few Pitt mistakes for the home team to escape victorious.
Pittsburgh prides itself pillaging yards and pitching their perplexed opponents for losses. The Panthers’ defensive front three account for nearly 75% of the team’s nation-leading sacks. The Mountaineers’ occasionally unyielding offense will be tested Friday. WVU running back, Noel Devine, is expected to be healthy for the game. Devine is capable of steamrolling defenses while leading the Mountaineers in yards. Devine is not at full strength for Bill Stewart’s squad. The Mountaineers will be forced to get by Pitt with their feature back dinged up. If the Panthers contain dashing Devine, the Mountaineers may have a tough time finding ways to score points. Pittsburgh is more powerful up front than any other defense West Virginia has faced this year. Their smash-mouth style has the edge over the inconsistent Mountaineer offensive line. West Virginia needs to be able to protect against the exceptional Pitt pass rush.
Dave Wannstedt built the Panthers around an unconventional power running game. Offensively, the Mountaineers use a spread-option system compared to Wannstedt’s more traditional pro-style. The offense will get a glimpse of WVU’s 3-5-3 defense. The Panthers haven’t seen anything like that defensively, save for Navy. But, it shouldn’t really be an issue for Wannstedt’s winners. Pitt has thrived with their decision to throw a pro-style offensive so far. There have been few low points for the Panthers since employing the flummoxing offense. The 8th ranked Panthers will try to avoid the road upset Friday and add to their two year winning streak against the Mountaineers. In 1997, Pittsburgh kept the then-number two Mountaineers from playing in the national title game. Miami Dolphins quarterback, Pat White and West Virginia suffered a 13-9 defeat in Morgantown that year. This year’s Mountaineer signal caller, Jarrett Brown, was on the sidelines hoping his team would cement a spot in the BCS title game. The underdog Panthers rose up to defend and stuff WVU’s dreams, but not before Brown entered the game. He replaced the injured White and provided a 6 yard touchdown run for the Mountaineers. Brown came into the 2007 Backyard Brawl with few expectations because he was essentially an unproven and unknown passer. Friday he has an opportunity to give the Mountaineers a ten-win season. Brown can create a confident boost to an otherwise disappointing season, where WVU fell short of expectations.
The Panthers have gone 18-5 and been a persistent presence in the top 25 since that turning point contest. Stewart’s squad is unranked this season. The Mountaineers will encounter a new face in freshman running back, Dion Lewis, on Friday. Lewis leads the Big East in rushing yards per game and is 38 yards shy of breaking LeSean McCoy’s rookie rushing mark. The speedy back is currently sixth in the nation in rushing. The game won’t affect the Panthers standing in the Big East. It could help decide how the Panthers finish in the final polls. Pittsburgh can lessen their chances of playing in an upper-tier bowl with a loss to WVU and Cincinnati on December 5th. It could also determine whether the Mountaineers complete an undefeated home record in 2009, however. West Virginia has not lost a game in Morgantown this year. This series demands a loud crowd, and none other than the one Friday in Morgantown will present an emotional atmosphere. The Panthers are equipped with explosive and exquisite athletes. I expect Pitt to take this year’s Black Friday Backyarder.

Parting Points: Kudos to Albert Pujols on claiming yet another NL MVP honor.
Is anyone in the NFL healthy for this week?
Listening to some Rod Stewart on the last Tuesday of November.