The 108th edition of the Backyard Brawl is set for Saturday, Sept. 13, as West Virginia takes on Pittsburgh, just one week after a disappointing 17-10 loss to Ohio. The Mountaineers will also be without two key offensive weapons, Jahiem White and Jaden Bray, who both suffered season-ending injuries. Meanwhile, the Panthers roll into the rivalry at 2-0 following a dominant 45-17 win over Central Michigan.
Saturday’s rivalry matchup kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN from Morgantown. Pitt enters as 7.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 57.5 total points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Rodney Gallagher III (WR, WVU)
With Bray out for the season, wide receiver Rodney Gallagher is poised for a bigger role in the offense. A versatile playmaker, Gallagher can contribute in the run game as well, since he rushed for 18 yards against Ohio. While his production has been limited through the first two games, if Nicco Marchiol can get him involved early, Gallagher’s speed and Rich Rodriguez’s creative play-calling could keep Pitt’s defense off balance. If West Virginia hopes to knock off its rival, the passing attack will need to take a significant step forward.
Eli Holstein (QB, Pitt)
In last year’s showdown, quarterback Eli Holstein torched West Virginia for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, leading Pitt to a 38-31 victory. He’s picked up right where he left off, already throwing for 519 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Holstein has been highly efficient, and with Desmond Reid setting the tone in the run game, Pitt’s offense has the firepower to give WVU’s defense a long afternoon.
Top Storylines
Pressure Builds for Rich Rod
Rich Rod’s return to Morgantown came with high expectations, especially after years of inconsistency under Neal Brown. The fan base wants results—and fast. A poor showing against rival Pitt this weekend could push patience to the brink. But after a flat 17-10 loss to Ohio, frustration is already bubbling over. The offense managed just 250 total yards and failed to establish any rhythm throughout the game. It was a performance that raised more questions than answers heading into a critical rivalry matchup.
Can Pitt Unlock Desmond Reid in the Backyard Brawl?
It’s no secret how valuable Reid is to Pitt’s offense, but through two games, he’s averaged just nine carries per outing. That’s a noticeable drop from 2024, when he logged at least 11 carries in every single game. Despite averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry this season, Reid simply hasn’t seen the volume he’s used to. Playing in a hostile environment like Morgantown, Pitt would be wise to lean on Reid early to take pressure off Holstein and allow the offense to settle in. Establishing the run could help neutralize WVU’s crowd and set the tone for a balanced attack.
Prediction: West Virginia 20, Pitt 17
Rivalry games rarely go as expected, and with WVU looking for revenge after an embarrassing loss last week, Rich Rod will need to get his offense rolling and capitalize on the home crowd’s energy. Even without key playmakers like White and Bray, a strong performance from Marchiol could go a long way in restoring momentum and confidence moving forward. But if the Mountaineers come up short again, it could be a sign of a long, frustrating season ahead in Morgantown.
