School: Pittsburgh Panthers
First Game: 1889
Winning Percentage: .574 (42nd)
Appearances in AP/Rank: 314 (27th)
Average AP Ranking: 12.6
National Titles: 9
Claim to Fame: Prior to World War II, Pitt was unquestionably one of the premier college football programs in the country claiming 8 National Championships between 1915 and 1937.
Why I have them in my Collection: As I stated above, Pitt was absolutely one of the best programs in the country for a little over 2 decades prior to World War II. That sort of consistency simply can’t be overlooked.
Also, as I mentioned with Syracuse, their story is the story of the Big East as a football playing conference. They were included in the Big East over a better Penn State football option at that time because Pitt was a better basketball school, and the Big East teams voted not to include Penn State by one vote. This was a basketball decision, but football would end up driving the car when Pitt and Syracuse would leave the conference in 2013.
Then there’s the Backyard Brawl. This is the rivalry between West Virginia and Pitt that recently has been renewed after a very unfortunate hiatus. When it comes to outright hatred, this rivalry may only be matched by Brawl of the Wild between Montana and Montana State. Pitt and WVU are only 70 miles apart but almost feel like completely different countries. Pitt also “famously” upended West Virginia’s most earnest shot at a national title in 2007 when the 4-7 Panthers went into Morgantown and upset the Mountaineers.
I am sorry WVU fans. Please do not blow up my mentions.
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