The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
Backyard Brawl
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 61–37–3. They've met 101 times since 1906. Pittsburgh once took 15 straight.
Stature & the series, 1906–2025
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
61–37–3
Pittsburgh leads
streak
1
West Virginia in a row
longest run
15
Pittsburgh
biggest win
45
Pittsburgh, 1978
first met
1906
101 meetings
biggest crowd
70,622
2022
The coaching duels
John Michelosen vs Gene Corum3–3
John Michelosen vs Art Lewis3–2
Foge Fazio vs Don Nehlen1–2–1
Mike Gottfried vs Don Nehlen2–1–1
Johnny Majors vs Don Nehlen0–4
Walt Harris vs Don Nehlen2–2
The draft ledger
Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.
draft picks
143–91
Pittsburgh leads
1st-rounders
24–8
since
1967
first CFBD-carried draft class
1960s3–1
1970s19–6
1980s36–11
1990s15–20
2000s27–17
2010s21–30
2020s22–6
Best picks, either side
1977Tony Dorsett Running BackRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1985Bill Fralic Offensive TackleRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1992Sean Gilbert Defensive TackleRd 1, pick 3#3 overall
2004Larry Fitzgerald Wide ReceiverRd 1, pick 3#3 overall
1985Chris Doleman Defensive EndRd 1, pick 4#4 overall
1984Bill Maas Defensive TackleRd 1, pick 5#5 overall
1983Jimbo Covert Offensive TackleRd 1, pick 6#6 overall
2005Adam Jones Defensive BackRd 1, pick 6#6 overall
Recent meetings
2025West Virginia31–24
2024Pittsburgh38–34
2023West Virginia17–6
2022Pittsburgh38–31
2011West Virginia21–20
2010West Virginia35–10
2009West Virginia19–16
2008Pittsburgh19–15
2007Pittsburgh13–9
2006West Virginia45–27
2005West Virginia45–13
2004Pittsburgh16–13
2003West Virginia52–31
2002West Virginia24–17