It’s finally here. 3,933 days have passed since the last edition of the Backyard Brawl, and it’s finally game day of the 105th edition.
There’s a level of anticipation and excitement permeating the air in Pittsburgh that hasn’t been felt in a long time, and Acrisure Stadium will be rocking tonight at 7 p.m.
With an 11-3 season capped by the first ACC championship in program history, there’s an expectation to not only repeat as conference champions but compete in the College Football Playoffs this season. And the renewal of the Backyard Brawl for the first time in 11 years is a fitting start to such a season.
While West Virginia is coming off a 6-7 season in 2022, entering the fourth year with head coach Neal Brown at the helm, there’s an expectation that growth needs to be attained. Former USC and Georgia quarterback J.T. Daniels will lead WVU’s new offense, an All-American candidate in Dante Stills will lead the defense and a battle in the trenches will be a key matchup in determining the outcome of the game.
There will be a likely record-setting crowd in attendance at Acrisure Stadium tonight, but a primetime national television audience will tune in.
Kickoff time: 7:05 p.m.
Channel: ESPN
Broadcast crew: Louis Riddick (color commentary), Matt Barrie (play-by-play) and Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
Radio: 93.7 the Fan & Pitt Panthers Radio Network
Broadcast crew: Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play), Pat Bostick (color commentary) and Larry Richert and Dorin Dickerson (reporters)
SiriusXM: Channel 81
WPTS Radio: 92.1 FM
