West Virginia will face off against Pittsburgh this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. West Virginia is favored to win by 2 1/2 points according to BetMGM College Football Odds. The historical series record shows Pitt leading 62-41-3.

The upcoming game marks the 107th edition of “The Backyard Brawl,” a matchup that could have significant implications for both teams’ seasons. Last year, West Virginia’s victory over Pitt set the tone for their successful 9-4 season, while Pitt struggled to a 3-9 record. Pitt’s offense showed promise in their recent win against Cincinnati, while West Virginia bounced back with a strong performance against Albany after a slow start against Penn State.

A key matchup to watch will be West Virginia’s linebackers trying to contain Pitt’s running back Desmond Reid, who has been impressive with 254 total yards against Cincinnati. West Virginia’s defense will need to step up after giving up 222 rushing yards in their previous game.

Players to keep an eye on include West Virginia’s RB CJ Donaldson, who ran for 125 yards in the last game, and Pitt’s QB Eli Holstein, a transfer from Alabama who showed resilience in the previous game.

Some facts and figures leading up to the game include the fact that the teams have split their two games since the series resumed in 2022, with each team winning at home. Pitt is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2021 when they won the ACC title. Desmond Reid leads the nation in all-purpose yards and ranks fifth in rushing. The rivalry between the two schools has been fairly even over the past 60 years, with WVU holding a 26-23-2 edge against Pitt since 1963.