Can Pittsburgh Upset West Virginia? Fat Chance

When Pittsburgh comes to town this Saturday for a 7:45 tilt at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, it is going to be a nervous time for Mountaineer players and fans.  And it should be.

We've all seen what has happened to number two this season.  The list is huge, and the number of teams in the top ten that have lost to unranked and unheard of opponents is large, and many of those losses came on their home fields.

Naturally this is the rivalry game. 

Anything can happen. 

However this one's outcome is all but decided.

In years past, the Panthers have been a formidable opponent and have had some great talent.  In fact, their record probably doesn't really tell how good they are, they still have some good talent on a team that is really young. 

And nothing would salvage a hint of success for the bowl ineligable Panthers, unless they beat the Mountaineers and destroy their title hopes.

It could happen, but I don't reccommend holding your breath or gambling away the greenbacks you have in savings on the Panthers.

Had the Mountaineers, in typical WVU fashion, came out and barely beat UConn and played scared, winning by one or even two touchdowns, it wouldn't seem as cut and dry.

Instead of playing not to lose or even playing terrified of making mistakes, the Mountaineers came out and played like their couch was on fire and whipped the Huskies into submission.

There are three main reasons why the Mountaineers should dominate the Panthers.

First off, West Virginia has the shiftiest player in the nation on their side—no one is playing better football than quarterback Pat White.

White is the key to the Mountaineers success, as much as or more than Major Harris was during WVU's last title shot against Tony Rice and Notre Dame in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl.

Reason number two is the three headed monster in the backfield that we saw against UConn in White, Steve Slaton, and Noel Devine.

With those three in the backfield, there is an unlimited number of ways WVU can outrun you down the field.  It is a true pick your poison situation—and hopefully, as a defender you pick the right one.  If you choose wrong, it is going to be hard to chase down the guy with the ball.

Third is just pure speed.  There isn't a faster team in the nation that finds ways to get out and run.  White, Slaton, Devine, Reynaud, Jock Sanders, Brandon Hogan...the amount of speed in the spread is endless and literally uncatchable.

The first quarter will likely be tense and tight, just like UConn.  But as the battle progresses, the Mountaineers should loosen up and put the game out of reach.

At the end of the game, when the crowd lingers to sing Country Roads once again, this time the country roads will not only be taking them home—but taking them to the Big Easy, New Orleans, en route to their first national championship.