UPDATE: Rich Rodriguez returns as West Virginia’s head coach for the highly anticipated Backyard Brawl against Pittsburgh on December 2, 2023. This marks Rodriguez’s first meeting with Pitt since a devastating loss in 2007 that derailed his career at West Virginia.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Rodriguez, whose Mountaineers sit at 1-1 this season, facing a 2-0 Pitt team eager to extend their winning streak. After a tumultuous six-year stretch without a major bowl appearance, fans are anxiously awaiting a turning point in the season.
Reflecting on the past, Rodriguez, now 62 years old, stated, “That’s a lifetime ago… It was the worst moment of my professional career from a game standpoint.” That infamous night in 2007 saw West Virginia, ranked No. 2 and a heavy favorite, stumble against an underdog Pitt team, costing them a shot at the BCS championship. “It’d be good to get a win,” Rodriguez added, acknowledging the emotional weight of the upcoming game.
In a season marred by disappointment, last week’s loss to Ohio intensified the pressure on Rodriguez and his team. The Backyard Brawl serves as a critical litmus test for his loyalty to the program and for fans still grappling with his controversial exit in 2007. With 80 newcomers on West Virginia’s roster, this will be their first taste of the fierce rivalry.
Rodriguez emphasized the importance of this game, stating, “This is not going to be a hard game to motivate for.” His previous record against Pitt stands at 4-3, but he faces a formidable opponent in Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi, who has a 2-1 record against West Virginia since the rivalry resumed in 2022.
“We’ll get their best game, like we always do,” Narduzzi remarked, hinting at the heightened emotions surrounding the match.
The Backyard Brawl is set to be a defining moment for Rodriguez and West Virginia football, especially with the series not scheduled to continue until 2029. Fans are left wondering if this game could reshape the future for Rodriguez and the program as a whole.
As anticipation builds, the clash kicks off this Saturday, promising a riveting atmosphere as both teams vie for supremacy in this historic rivalry. Stay tuned for live updates and analysis as the drama unfolds in the Backyard Brawl.
