By Christian Goeckel
SouthernPigskin.com

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West Virginia at 17 Pitt: Time | Channel | Announcers | Preview

West Virginia at (17) Pitt, Thursday, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN

Announcers: Harry Lyles Jr., Louis Riddick, Matt Barrie

Series History: First met: 1985, Last Met: 2011 – (West Virginia 21-20), Pitt leads the series 61-40-3

Line: Pitt -7.5

Over/Under: 51.0

Conference realignment is a part of college football’s DNA. Past, present, and future. Schools jumping at an oppurtonity to make more money will never stop. With that said, one of the more significant consequences has been the loss of traditional, regional rivalries. Texas hasn’t played Texas A&M since 2011. Nebraska played Oklahoma last year for the first time in over a decade. The Backyard Brawl is one of many such victims of change. West Virginia-Pitt is one of those games that should be played every year. For now, we’re just happy we get to see the rivalry rekindled. The two teams, seperated by only 77 miles, find eachother in very differnt places. West Virginia is a team that has hovered around .500 the past 5 seasons, while Pitt is coming off of their first ACC Championship title. This is also the reunion for each teams’ quarterback. JT Daniels (WVU) and Kedon Slovis (Pitt) both started their careers at USC. A knee injury for Daniels led to Slovis taking over the team and Daniels heading to UGA. Once Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams made their way to USC, Slovis found his new home at Pitt. This will be a wonderful spectacle to kickoff a full 5 days of college football. The pageantry and atmosphere will be incredible, but don’t expect the product on the field to match up. Pitt is the far superior team and should handle a Mountaineers team that will struggle upfront. JT Daniels is many things, but mobile is not one of them. Pitt will handle the lines of scrimmage and should seperate late in this one.

Prediction: Pitt 31 – West Virginia 17