Tale of the Tape: WVU vs Pitt
It’s time for our weekly Tale of the Tape feature, where we compare West Virginia against its upcoming opponent using the NCAA’s official stats. This week, the Mountaineers face Pitt, and the numbers give a clear picture of where each team has the edge.
The Panthers hold a decisive advantage in several offensive categories, ranking top 10 nationally in scoring and top 20 in passing, while also having one of the stingiest rushing defenses in the country. West Virginia, on the other hand, has been stronger on the ground with a top-25 rushing attack and sits near the top nationally in both red zone offense and red zone defense.
Overall, the breakdown shows Pitt with the upper hand in most categories, but the Mountaineers’ ability to control the run game and capitalize in the red zone could be the equalizer. As always, the numbers only tell part of the story, but they provide a solid look at what to watch when the two programs meet this weekend.
West Virginia vs Pitt statistical comparison
| Stat | WVU Rank | WVU Value | Pitt Rank | Pitt Value | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Offense | 43 | 437.5 | T-34 | 462.0 | Pitt |
| Rushing Offense | 25 | 232.5 | 87 | 141.0 | WVU |
| Passing Offense | 79 | 205.0 | 16 | 321.0 | Pitt |
| Team Passing Efficiency | 82 | 134.78 | 20 | 180.90 | Pitt |
| Scoring Offense | T-72 | 27.5 | T-8 | 53.0 | Pitt |
| Total Defense (lower better) | 45 | 276.0 | 13 | 208.5 | Pitt |
| Rushing Defense (lower better) | 61 | 117.5 | 5 | 34.5 | Pitt |
| Passing Yards Allowed (lower better) | 39 | 158.5 | 52 | 174.0 | WVU |
| Team Pass Efficiency Defense (lower better) | 33 | 99.86 | 90 | 134.87 | WVU |
| Scoring Defense (lower better) | T-23 | 10.0 | T-38 | 13.0 | WVU |
| Turnover Margin (higher better) | T-65 | 0.00 | T-88 | -0.50 | WVU |
| 3rd Down Conversion Pct (higher better) | T-115 | 0.292 | T-41 | 0.478 | Pitt |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct (higher better) | T-97 | 0.333 | T-71 | 0.500 | Pitt |
| 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense (lower better) | T-36 | 0.276 | 28 | 0.250 | Pitt |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense (lower better) | T-24 | 0.333 | T-77 | 0.600 | WVU |
| Red Zone Offense (higher better) | T-1 | 1.000 | T-50 | 0.917 | WVU |
| Red Zone Defense (lower better) | T-36 | 0.750 | T-61 | 0.833 | WVU |
| Net Punting (higher better) | 86 | 38.18 | 23 | 44.40 | Pitt |
| Punt Returns (higher better) | 48 | 10.14 | 13 | 21.13 | Pitt |
| Kickoff Returns (higher better) | 46 | 22.20 | 9 | 40.50 | Pitt |
| First Downs Offense (higher better) | T-88 | 39 | T-65 | 43 | Pitt |
| First Downs Defense (lower better) | T-43 | 32 | 9 | 21 | Pitt |
| Fewest Penalties/Game (lower better) | T-114 | 8.50 | T-29 | 4.50 | Pitt |
| Fewest Penalty Yds/Game (lower better) | T-120 | 77.00 | T-62 | 49.00 | Pitt |
| Time of Possession (higher better) | 131 | 23:37 | 130 | 23:57 | Pitt |
| Edge Totals | WVU 8 – Pitt 17 | ||||
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