Aug 30-
- The West Virginia Mountaineers head to Acrisure Stadium to play the Pittsburgh Panthers
- The Panthers are heavy home favorites in the West Virginia vs Pittsburgh odds
- Read below for Avery Chenier’s best pick for this Big 12/ACC matchup
The Backyard brawl is happening for the first time in 11 years, as Pitt and West Virginia will meet at Acrisure Stadium (RIP Heinz Field) at 7 PM EST on Thursday, September 1st. The home Panthers are favored in the West Virginia vs Pittsburgh odds, as transfer Quarterback Kedon Slovis takes the reigns behind center, trying to recreate the magic Kenny Pickett had last season. This will be the game of the night, being broadcasted on ESPN.
Let’s take a look at the West Virginia vs Pittsburgh odds at BetMGM Sportsbook and see where we can get some value.
West Virginia vs Pittsburgh Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| West Virginia Mountaineers | +225 | +7.5 (-110) | Over 50.5 (-110) |
| Pittsburgh Panthers | -275 | -7.5 (-110) | Under 50.5 (-110) |
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West Virginia vs Pittsburgh History
“The football series was first played in 1895, and the game has historically been one of the more intense rivalries in the eastern United States. The rivalry between the two schools is due mainly to proximity. WVU’s campus in Morgantown, West Virginia is only about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh (via Interstate 79), and the two schools often compete for the same recruits.”
These two teams have met a total of 104 times in their history, with Pitt leading the all-time series 61-40-3. The Mountaineers have won their last three meetings and are 7-3 in their last 10.
- West Virginia are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- West Virginia are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games on the road.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of West Virginia’s last 6 games played in week 1.
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh’s last 5 games.
- Pittsburgh are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games played in September.
- Pittsburgh are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games.
West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Outlook
West Virginia doesn’t return a ton of production, at only 56% (48% on offense and 64% on defense). Even with 64% production returning on the defensive side of the ball, the Mountaineers lost their top six tacklers. The defensive backs only return one player with starting experience.
West Virginia will wear special Country Roads uniforms Thursday at Pitt in "Backyard Brawl." They feature roadmap of I-79 & various country roads in West Virginia pic.twitter.com/eviYulGVPu
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 30, 2022
New Mountaineers Quarterback JT Daniels (USC, Georgia) and offensive coordinator Graham Harrell are going to struggle with weapons to get the ball to. They don’t have Leddy Brown or Winston Wright back where they already ranked 101st in points/game and 95th in yards/play.
Pittsburgh Panthers Betting Outlook
The Panthers lose a Heisman finalist in Kenny Pickett and lose one of the best receivers in the country in Jordan Addison, but they still, have a ton of returning production. The Panthers have the 30th most returning production in the country at 74%. Kedon Slovis takes over from USC, for an offense that averaged the sixth most points in the country last season.
The Panthers should be a balanced offense this season based on their OC’s previous history, and their whole running back room returning. Pittsburgh are listed as the fourth betting favorite in the ACC Championship odds.
West Virginia vs Pittsburgh Pick & Prediction
Sorry to the good people of West Virginia, but I think this will be all Pitt from the opening kickoff. So much so that I think this guy can fly under the total as well.
Pittsburgh will score, West Virginia will not score, it’s simple as that. Take the Panthers to cover the points at -110 in the West Virginia vs Pittsburgh odds.
Pick: Pitt -7.5 (-110) 1 unit, Under 50.5 (-110) 1 unit
