Saturday, Pitt and Penn State will play their final game in their four-year rivalry deal.  The game will be at noon and will be televised nationally on ABC.

In the first contest, in 2016, Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman, who currently plays in the NFL for the Oakland Raiders, led Pitt with three TDs, along with James Conner, current Steelers running back, who rushed for 117 yards and three TDs.

The next year, in 2017, two-and-a-half hours east in Beaver Stadium, Saquon Barkley, who currently plays for the Giants and is one of the best running backs in the NFL today, led Penn State with one TD. Trace McSorley scored three TDs, and the game was over by halftime.  The final score was 33-14.  The loss of Peterman for Pitt hurt the Panthers, as QB Max Browne struggled.

Looking to get payback, the rivalry came back at Heinz Field last year in cold, rainy weather.  It turned out to be Pitt’s worst game of 2018.  After Pitt cut the game to 7-6, that’s all they would get.  McSorely would have another amazing game, scoring three TDs total, leading Penn State to a 51-6 blowout.  Pitt’s new quarterback, Kenny Pickett, only threw for 55 yards and one INT.

This year marks the 100th time Pitt and Penn State have faced each other.  Pitt looks for revenge, but it won’t be an easy task.  Pitt has not won at Beaver Stadium since 1988.  Their road record is also an issue.  Pitt only was 2-4 on the road last year.  It also doesn’t help that Penn State is No. 13 in the country.

So far this year, Penn State has had two easy victories over Idaho and Buffalo.

Meanwhile, Pitt lost to Virginia, 30-14, in week 1.  The next week, Pitt would beat Ohio, but only 20-10.

93.2 percent of people voted for Penn State, but let’s get to my prediction for this game.

Prediction:

Now to me, the game mostly comes down to Pitt’s quarterback, Kenny Pickett.  He has shown some flashes, including beating No. 2 Miami in 2017 in his first start.

However, he has been inconsistent, having some good and some bad performances in 2018, including an abysmal effort against Clemson, in which he only threw for eight yards!

Pitt’s defense has struggled against Penn State, giving up 39, 33, and 51.  So the offense needs to be high powered to have a chance.

As for me, I just think Penn State is too much of a powerhouse for Pitt to keep up with. I think Pitt can keep it close for a while, but Penn State will win, 42-24.