West Virginia vs. Pitt picks: Predictions, odds, injury report for Week 1 of college football, Backyard Brawl

The No. 17 Pittsburgh Panthers will meet the West Virginia Mountaineers in Pittsburgh on Thursday, September 1, with kickoff set for 7:00 pm. ET in a revival of the century-old Backyard Brawl rivalry series.

Here's all the data you'll want, and a pick for the game!

SP+ Rankings

West Virginia: No. 58 overall, No. 66 offense, No. 54 defense
Pittsburgh: No. 23 overall, No. 7 offense, No. 55 defense

Injury update

TE Mike O'Laughlin – Questionable (knee)

ATS/Total

West Virginia: 0-0 ATS
Pittsburgh: 0-0 ATS

West Virginia: Over 0-0
Pittsburgh: Over 0-0

Returning/Overall Talent from 247Sports

West Virginia: No. 38 overall, No. 34 offense, No. 41 defense
Pittsburgh: No. 39 overall, No. 37 offense, No. 40 defense

Current lines at DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread: Pitt -7.5
Total: 52.5
Moneyline: Pitt -300, WVU +250

Opening line: Pitt -6.5
Opening total: 55.5

Weather

79 degrees, 6 MPH wind, 0% chance of rain

The Pick

Pitt's transfer portal talent and their returners' experience in big games from 2021 should serve them well, as will the home advantage. The Kedon Slovis-JT Daniels matchup will be fun to watch, and Pitt won't be the same team without Kenny Pickett, but I'm going with the Panthers on the moneyline for this Thursday.

  
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