ESPN’s College GameDay announces special trip to Pittsburgh for WVU game

Pittsburgh will host ESPN’s College GameDay crew for a special show when it hosts West Virginia on Sept. 1.

The Week 1 showdown will take place on Thursday night of opening weekend, serving as an unofficial kickoff to the 2022 season. Here’s the announcement:

The GameDay crew will be in Columbus, Ohio, for Notre Dame-Ohio State on Saturday of Week 1.

This will be a very special edition of the Backyard Brawl. It’s the first meeting between these programs since 2011 when both teams were still in the Big East. West Virginia moved to the Big 12 in 2012 and Pitt started ACC play in 2013.

But prior to the last 11 year gap, Pitt-West Virginia was a staple on the college football calendar. T

he rivals played every season from 1943-2011.

The Panthers are likely to be favored in this showdown. While they lose Kenny Pickett and Jordan Addison from a team that won the ACC last season, the Panthers still return plenty of talent and are expected to compete for another Coastal division title. WVU was picked to finish 8th in the Big 12 preseason poll.

Pittsburgh holds the all-time series edge, 61-40-3.

Kickoff from Heinz Field is set for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 1.