The Panthers and Mountaineers are set to do battle in the 105th rendition of the Backyard Brawl. Both teams will likely be rusty and make mistakes as they incorporate new offenses and new quarterbacks for the first time against anyone other than their own defenses. Both teams will have veteran offensive lines that should be able to minimize pre-snap mistakes, which is a plus.
The Panthers look like the better play in this game because of a defense that is much less thrown together than that of the Mountaineers. The Panthers have a dominant defensive front and have a veteran secondary that at least knows how to work together in real-game situations. Both JT Daniels of WVU and Kedon Slovis of Pitt will be working with new coordinators and new receivers. In the end, both teams will go through growing pains but I like the Mountaineers chances to keep this game close with Daniels showing off his potent arm against the Panthers suspect secondary and the Panthers going through some challenges as they shift from a pass-first offense to a more balanced attack. It will take time for the Panthers to kick it in gear and giving away nearly a touchdown may be too much in this one.