Special Edition - Backyard Brawl

What is the Backyard Brawl?

The Backyard Brawl is the college football rivalry between the West Virginia Mountaineers and Pittsburgh Panthers. It is called the Backyard Brawl because the stadiums are separated by 74 miles on Interstate 79. The Backyard Brawl is also this author’s favorite college football rivalry.

All-Time Series

The first Backyard Brawl took place in 1895. In the series, Pitt leads WVU 63-42-3. Before 1962 most games were hosted in Pittsburgh. From 1962 to 2011 the game alternated between Morgantown and Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh holds the series longest win streak with 15 straight wins vs the Mountaineers from 1929-1946.

Notable Backyard Brawl Games

1895: First ever meeting between the two schools

Score WVU-8 PITT-0

1921: First college football game broadcasted on the radio.

Score PITT-21 WVU-13

1952: West Virginia’s first win vs a ranked team in program history.

Score WVU-16 #18 PITT-0

2007: 100th Backyard Brawl 4-7 Pitt upset #2 West Virginia.

Score PITT-13 WVU-9

2009: West Virginia upsets #8 Pitt

Score WVU-19 PITT-16

2022: First game since 2011. Pittsburgh city record for sporting event attendance.

Score PITT-38 WVU-31

2025 Backyard Brawl

The 2025 Backyard Brawl is the 108th rivalry game. Pittsburgh enters the game 2-0 with wins over Dusquene and Central Michigan. West Virginia enters the game 1-1 with a win over Robert Morris and a loss to Ohio. Pittsburgh is favored by 7.5 points. The over/under is 55.5 points. 

Rivalry Extended

The game will take a 3 year break from 2026-2028. Games will resume annually from 2029-2036.

Backyard Brawl 2025 Recap

The 2025 Backyard Brawl was a great game!

Pitt started with the ball, and on the first play from scrimmage nearly lost the ball, but recovered their own fumble. Both teams missed a field goal in the first quarter. The Mountaineers took a 7-3 lead into halftime. West Virginia and Pitt both scored touchdowns in the 3rd. Pitt hit a field goal to make it 14-14 at the end of the 3rd. Pitt scored a field goal and touchdown to make it 24-14. West Virginia responded with a field goal and touchdown of their own to make it 24-24. West Virginia scored a touchdown to start OT, then held off Pitt to win 31-24.

College Football Rankings

Another week of college football is in the books. That means another week of The Cole Times top 25.

1. Ohio State 3-0

2. Penn State 3-0

3. Miami (FL) 3-0

4. LSU 3-0

5. Georgia 3-0

6. Oregon 3-0

7. FSU 3-0

8. Illinois 3-0

9. Oklahoma 3-0

10. Texas A&M 3-0

11. Texas 2-1

12. Iowa State 4-0

13. Tennessee 2-1

14. Ole Miss 3-0

15. Utah 3-0

16. Texas Tech 3-0

17. Indiana 3-0

18. USC 3-0

19. Georgia Tech 3-0

20. Vanderbilt 3-0

21. Alabama 2-1

22. Auburn 3-0

23. Missouri 3-0

24. Michigan 2-1

25. South Florida 2-1