I’m happy to type that both Pitt and WVU have released their game notes for the Backyard Brawl early. Usually they hold them until Monday, but both schools have released them. Both are in PDF. Here’s Pitt‘s and WVU‘s. The Backyard Brawl is ESPN’s marquee game for Thanksgiving. In the booth will be Tirico, Herbstreit and Corso. Jill Arrington will be on the sidelines — bring binoculars.

Here is Pitt’s Gameday Press Release.

You can read some of WVU’s “Coach Rod” thoughts about their loss to BC and the coming Pitt game here.

The game is also Senior Day for Pitt.

Pitt leads the all-time series 58-35-2. Pitt’s longest win streak against WVU is 15 from 1929-1946 (no games between the two from 40-43). WVU rattled off 5 straight from 1992-1996.

Pitt’s depth chart doesn’t show much in the way of changes. Allen Richardson, inexplicably, is still the punt returner. Josh Lay will start at Right CB, and Darrelle Revis at Left CB (Mike Phillips will back up Revis for this game). I’m guessing that Lay will get the assignment against WVU’s best receiver, Chris Henry.

The Tale of the Tape

PITTSBURGH——————————— WEST VIRGINIA
28.8 ………………………………. Points ………………………………. 33.0
360.3 ……………………….. Total Offense ……………………….. 424.0
106.7 ………………………. Rushing Yards ………………………. 258.3
38.8 ………………………. Rushing Attempts ………………………. 49.4
2.8 …………………………. Yards Per Carry …………………………. 5.2
253.7 ……………………… Passing Yardage ……………………… 165.7
33.8 ………………………. Passing Attempts ………………………. 20.2
13.0 ……………….. Yards Per Pass Completion ……………….. 13.6
25.1 ………………………… Points Allowed ………………………… 20.0
396.4 ……………………….. Total Defense ……………………….. 330.6
131.6 …………………. Rushing Yards Allowed …………………. 124.9
264.9 …………………. Passing Yards Allowed …………………. 205.7
+8 …………………………. Turnover Margin …………………………. +5

More on the stats in a later post.