Neal Brown fuels speculation Alabama-West Virginia deal could be altered in 2025

For the third year in a row, West Virginia will face Pitt in the Backyard Brawl. It’s the third of four matchups between the bitter rivals with this year’s edition taking place at Heinz Field. To this point, there are no future matchups scheduled, and Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown wants that to change.

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“We got to get our schedule fixed and we’re in the process of kind of doing that,” said Brown. “I think it’s a series that needs to be played. I think Pitt wants to play it. We want to play it… I know it makes sense for us to play the game.”

Saturday will be game No. 107 between West Virginia and Pitt, with the Panthers having the all-time series lead. When the Big East fell apart as a football conference following the 2011 season, there was a decade-long hiatus in the rivalry. Brown’s goal is to make sure his program continues to play Pitt.

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Part of West Virginia’s issue is playing in the Big 12 and having nine conference games. Three nonconference opponents mean there is not a lot of wiggle room, especially with some high-profile games already scheduled. One of those is Alabama but Brown hinted at getting out of the home-and-home series.

“We’re in the process,” he said. “We got Alabama. That ain’t fixed.”

As of now, Alabama is planning on going to Morgantown in 2026 with the reverse trip to Tuscaloosa taking place the following year. If West Virginia can get out of the contract, a spot would be opened up and allow them to play Pitt. The Panthers — who schedule four nonconference opponents a year in the ACC — currently have openings in 2026 and 2027.

Alabama AD Greg Byrne has not yet commented on the situation but looking at their schedule, he may not be opposed to dropping the game either. The 2026 and 2027 schedule already has another power conference foe, facing Florida State at home and traveling to Ohio State.