MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- The Backyard Brawl between
West Virginia and
Pittsburgh is one of the best -- and better named -- rivalries in college football.
And it's also home to the Big East's rudest fan bases, according to a
survey of college football fans by SI.com.
The survey of 33,144 fans nationwide voted West Virginia and Pittsburgh as the favorite stadiums to visit in the Big East -- 23.2 percent voted for WVU's Milan Puskar Stadium and 19.5 percent voted for Pitt's Heinz Field.
However, West Virginia and Pitt fans also were the overwhelming choices as the league's rudest fans. WVU received 34.9 percent of the vote, followed by Pitt at 25 percent.
Friday night when Pitt visits West Virginia, there might be more late hits in the stands than on the field.
On the field, the Panthers (9-1) have been cruising since their head-scratching loss to N.C. State, and have won six consecutive games. West Virginia (7-3) is stumbling down the stretch, having lost two of three and its once-vaunted running game has been sputtering lately.
Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said when these teams play "you can throw the record books out." Just make sure it doesn't hit a WVU or Pitt fan or you might get to experience your own Backyard Brawl.
Three of the last five meetings between the Mountaineers and Panthers have been decided by four points or less. Expect another close one, but the Panthers emerge with the victory.
Onto the rest of my Big East picks as I try to make a late surge and get over the 50 percent hump.
Rutgers at Louisville (Friday): Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said the Scarlet Knights were likely overconfident entering last week's loss to
Syracuse and called it a "perfect storm" in a bad way. Rutgers, which still has hopes of a bowl trip to Charlotte or St. Pete, won't overlook the Cardinals, who likely are playing their final game under Steve Kragthorpe. Rutgers covers the field goal.
Illinois at Cincinnati (Friday): QB
Tony Pike returns to the starting lineup on Cincinnati's Senior Day, but the big concern in Cincinnati isn't Pike's left arm. Charlie Weis appears on the way out at
Notre Dame and
Brian Kelly has been widely reported/touted/promoted as the leading candidate. The Bearcats face an Illinois offense that averages 190 yards rushing a game. Those are better numbers than UConn and West Virginia, who both were able to run the ball against UC and gave the Bearcats a scare. Since a 30-0 loss to
Ohio State, four of the Illini's five losses were by 13 points or less. That's not really a ringing endorsement, but Cincinnati may be a little distracted with the uncertainty of Kelly and Pittsburgh on deck. The Zooker getting 20½ points? Sure, why not.
Miami at South Florida (Saturday): To be in the Big Three? Or not to be in the Big Three? That is the question about USF. When the Bulls won at
Florida State earlier this season, the school's marketing department posted a billboard proclaiming: "Welcome to the Club Bulls Fans. Big 4" with the logos of
Florida, FSU, Miami and USF. However, since the billboard was erected -- it was only up for a week -- USF has lost three of five games. Saturday USF plays Miami in its first home game against a Big Three/Big Four member. Two years ago USF WR Taurus Johnson was asked if the Bulls were part of the state's elite programs. "I already thought [USF was] in the Big Three," Johnson said. "I didn't know Miami was still there." Miami is still there and will remind the Bulls who is a Big Three member and who isn't. Hurricanes cover the 5½.
Syracuse at UConn (Saturday): Last week Syracuse managed its one Big East victory of the year. The last time Syracuse won consecutive Big East games was 2004. Since then the Orange has gone 4-30 in Big East play. The Huskies, who kept their bowl hopes alive by beating Notre Dame, is nearly a two-touchdown favorite against the Orange. In the past five years, UConn has been that big of a favorite in league play only one other time against -- you guessed it -- Syracuse in 2007. And UConn won easily. The Orange is still celebrating last week's win, while the Huskies are focused on winning out and earning a third consecutive bowl berth. UConn covers the 13½.
Last Week: 2-1 (straight up); 2-1 (against the spread)
Season: 50-10 (83.3 percent) (straight up); 23-26-1 (46.9 percent) (against the spread)
Contact FanHouse reporter Brett McMurphy at brettmcmurphy@gmail.com
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Latest College Football Photos
In this Sept. 19, 2009, photo, Pittsburgh quarterback Bill Stull, right, runs away from Navy linebacker Ross Pospisil after catching his own deflected pass during an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. West Virginia coach Bill Stewart has noticed Stull's improvement since the last time No. 8 Pittsburgh and West Virginia met in the Backyard Brawl. The quarterback can help lead the Panthers to their third straight win over the Mountaineers on Friday night, Nov. 27, something that hasn't happened since Pitt won seven straight from 1976-82. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
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In this Sept. 19, 2009, photo, Pittsburgh quarterback Bill Stull, right, runs away from Navy linebacker Ross Pospisil after catching his own deflected pass during an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. West Virginia coach Bill Stewart has noticed Stull's improvement since the last time No. 8 Pittsburgh and West Virginia met in the Backyard Brawl. The quarterback can help lead the Panthers to their third straight win over the Mountaineers on Friday night, Nov. 27, something that hasn't happened since Pitt won seven straight from 1976-82. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
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Pittsburgh quarterback Bill Stull, right, runs away from Navy linebacker Ross Pospisil after catching his own deflected pass in the first half of the NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. Stull had the ball stripped and lost the fumble to Navy. Pittsburgh won the game 27-14. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
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In this Sept. 12, 2009, photo, Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike hugs receiver Mardy Gilyard (1) after they connected for a touchdown pass during an NCAA college football game against Southeast Missouri State in Cincinnati. The strong-armed senior quarterback is expected to run Cincinnati's offense on Friday, Nov. 27, when the fifth-ranked Bearcats play their final home game, against Illinois. That could mean another big day for his elusive senior receiver. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
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In this Sept. 5, 2009, photo, Charleston Southern quarterback A.J. Toscano is taken down by Florida linebackers Brandon Spikes (51) and Ryan Stamper for no gain during an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla. Spikes and Stamper are among 24 seniors on the Florida team this year. The senior class has more wins (46) than any other in Southeastern Conference history. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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In this Sept. 6, 2009, photo, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins reacts to a call during an NCAA college football game against Colorado State in Boulder, Colo. Hawkins will get a fifth season in Boulder instead of a pink slip and a $3.1 million buyout. Athletic director Mike Bohn announced Thursday, Nov. 26, that he's sticking with his coach despite a 16-32 record, including 2-20 on the road. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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In this Sept. 6, 2009, photo, Colorado coach Dan Hawkins reacts to a call during an NCAA college football game against Colorado State in Boulder, Colo. Hawkins will get a fifth season in Boulder instead of a pink slip and a $3.1 million buyout. Athletic director Mike Bohn announced Thursday, Nov. 26, that he's sticking with his coach despite a 16-32 record, including 2-20 on the road. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
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In this Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, photo, Mississippi runningback Dexter McCluster (22) hurdles over LSU cornerback Jai Eugene (4) for a first down in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Oxford, Miss. An all-purpose tailback, who uses speed, mobility, guile and agility to move the ball, McCluster is expected to give Mississippi State defense fits when he has the ball on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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On Nov. 3, 2009, Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson visits the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. Woodson, the 1997 Heisman winner, led the Wolverines to a national championship in college football. Michigan's Children's Hospital announced on Thanksgiving Day a $2 million donation from Woodson. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
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In this Nov. 14, 2009, photo, Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon (24) runs through Alabama defenders during an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss. Dixon's use of power and speed will receive a tough challenge from the No. 20 Mississippi defenders this Saturday in the two school's regular-season-ending game. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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In a Nov. 3, 2009, photo, Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson, right, visits with and gives an autographed football to 7-year-old Haley Greene, left, a patient at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. Woodson, the 1997 Heisman winner, led the Wolverines to a national championship in college football. Michigan's Children's Hospital announced on Thanksgiving Day a $2 million donation from Woodson. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
As a PSU fan, I can tell you in my visits to Pitt when it was our year end rivalry game, were unbelievable as far as being treated poorly. Even with my school age kids, it was akin to being in a third world country at times as we walked up the hill to the stadium while drunk, obnoxious "STUDENTS" and so called fans cursed us out and yelled. I love the city of Pittsburgh, but these people need a life.That's what I base my experiences on, and I've been out there several times, then stopped going. Not a Collegiate atmosphere in my books. Maybe Heinz field is different, but the old set up was not good.
Been to Morgantown once (no kids in tow) and had a great time. My prediction/ OK Pitt fans fire away and tell me how bad your PSU experience was.
Being born in WV, I tuned in to watch the game.
It was like watching my kids when they played "T ball". Here in Texas, we have HS school teams that could beat either WV or Pitt
You have got to be kidding....2 years ago, WV beat Oklahoma (Big Twelve Champion) ranked #2,so bad, it was like playing a midget team.....no speed in the big 12...
looks like rich rod left a very good team and is failing pretty bad at michigan
Bob,
Everything is bigger in Texas, including Ego. What is that about? You'd think Texas has always been the center of the football universe. One thing I've noticed, is SEC, Big Twelve South schools don't like to come north to play after October. Bring one of those high school teams north on December 5th and let's see what happens. Kind of makes me want to see Texas get beat now so I can see your post.
Texas plays in Kansas, Colorado, Iowa, and Nebraska in the snow all the time and almost ALWAYS wins---nice try.