The West Virginia Mountaineers and Pittsburgh Panthers open the 2022 season at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the West Virginia at Pittsburgh odds, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The “Backyard Brawl” is back, as these 2 schools meet on the gridiron for the 105th time, but the 1st meeting since Nov. 25, 2011, a 21-20 West Virginia win in Morgantown. The last time these schools met in Pittsburgh, the Mountaineers routed the Panthers 35-10 in November 2010.
The Panthers won the ACC Championship Game last season, but lost QB Kenny Pickett, who was a 1st-round draft of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pitt hopes incoming transfer QB Kedon Slovis from Southern California will keep the Panthers on the championship path without skipping a beat.
Pittsburgh is ranked No. 16 in the AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.