Pitt and VT had a small stint in the 90s of playing. But in 2012 they started playing every year as part of the ACC. For some reason the games were all special Thursday night games. It’s worked out as an intense, well matched, game, year after year.

But this is the year that I think solidifies the rivarly:

Nard Dog talks Mad Shit

Pitt vs. Penn State is one of the most intense historical rivalries. It was revived in 2016, with Pitt and Penn State having relatively new coaches (Narduzzi and Franklin). Narduzzi being the absolute baller he is talked mad shit, and James Franklin being the little wuss he is let it get under his skin. Eventually, Penn State decided they would no longer play Pitt because James Franklin was too scared and it made him big mad every time they had to play Pitt, because he HATES the Duzz.

Unfortunately for James Franklin, he sucks too much to even be able to coach a shitty Big10 school so now he’s coaching at nerd school Virginia Tech. And I’m sure he’ll have an even bugger chip on his shoulder, since his coaching rival Narduzzi still kept his job (because he’s not a fucking loser).

This coaching rivalry will make its way to the press conferences. It will make it to the field. And it may even end up turning into a brawl started by James Franklin attempting to suckerpunch Nard Dog. The Duzzi will land a doozy though, and win him the fight. I’d put $20 on Narduzzi winning the fight (and by extension, betting that the fight will happen).

The rivalry will get a cool nickname like the Narduzzi is Real Rivalry Sponsored by Liberty Mutual’s Belk Bowl or something.

The SEC is overrated

Due to the SEC and Big 10 being overrated, the AP Top 25 has failed to include winning teams deserving of their spots, in favor of shit(tier than usual) SEC and Big10 teams taking up the top 25 rankings, leaving no room for ACC teams with winning records.

This has created an environment for higher stakes: Winner gets ranked.

Presumably, the winner will take the place of USC, who only narrowly beat the team that lost to Rutgers, and handidly lost to their only ranked opponent.

Other shit schools that could be knocked out by the winner of Pitt vs. VT are:

Oklahoma State

Houston

SMU

Tennessee

Southern Cal

Boise State

Kentucky

Missouri