As the anticipation builds for the 2025 college football season, one of the most heated rivalries in the sport is once again in the spotlight: the Backyard Brawl between West Virginia and Pittsburgh. But this year, the matchup is gaining even more traction thanks to former WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez, who is passionately campaigning for ESPN’s College GameDay to spotlight the showdown.
Rodriguez, a central figure in the Mountaineers’ football legacy, recently voiced his strong support for College GameDay to broadcast live from the 2025 Backyard Brawl. “It’s not just a game—it’s a war of pride, tradition, and history,” Rodriguez said in a recent interview. “No other rivalry embodies the grit and heart of college football like the Backyard Brawl. It deserves the national stage.”
His sentiment isn’t falling on deaf ears. A number of prominent ESPN analysts, including Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard, have acknowledged Rodriguez’s push and agreed that the game is worthy of the spotlight. Herbstreit even took to social media, calling the rivalry “one of the rawest and most passionate atmospheres in college football.”
Set to be played in Morgantown, West Virginia, the 2025 edition of the Backyard Brawl promises high stakes, electric energy, and a passionate crowd that lives and breathes this rivalry. With both programs on the rise and a storied history that dates back over a century, the game is shaping up to be a marquee event.
If College GameDay takes the cue and heads to Morgantown, fans can expect one of the most electric pregame shows of the season. For many, it’s not just about football—it’s about legacy, pride, and the power of sports to unite and ignite a community.
Will ESPN make the call? All signs are pointing to yes.
