Back in 2016, I wrote a post about how I liked the rivalry and even though Pitt won that year, I hoped it would continue. Read the post, it was mostly about some ground rules the two fan bases should follow. Now that the series is over and Penn State won the final battle, I think it is time to end it.
First, let me just say that the game was fantastic. It is what you want out of those two schools: a hard fought battle. I was impressed with Pitt’s passing game at times (Pitt fans complain about Kenny Pickett, but I thought he played very well) and with Penn State’s run defense. I do not understand what Coach Narduzzi was thinking on that 4th & Goal. Why go for a field goal? They would still need a touchdown. But, if Penn State does stop them, then Pitt would have the Nittany Lions at the one yard line. If I were a Pitt fan, I would be pissed about that decision. Whatever, not my team.
Anyways, why do I think not playing each other is a good idea. I always hope the two fan bases will be civil and respectful to each other. I think jokes are fine, but some things are just not cool (Pitt fans cannot stop mentioning Jerry Sandusky and Joe Paterno). And look, I am not excusing the stupid shit Penn State fans say either. The week leading up to the game make me want to avoid social media altogether.
From a more practical perspective, there is no reason for Penn State to play Pitt. I know, Pitt fans think this is Penn State being greedy, but what does Penn State get out of it? Pitt ends up selling season tickets when it is a home game (mostly to Penn State fans, who end up throwing the other tickets in the garbage).
The Panthers (and their fans) treat the game like it is the National Championship. If Penn State is competing for playoff spot (they are not this year, but they have been in the past), this game does not add much for them. Pitt has been pretty mediocre (yeah, I know, they won their division last year…still not that impressive) and a loss looks bad, but a win is expected.
This is the reason PSU looked elsewhere for non-conference opponents such as Auburn, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia. Those schools have at least been relevant in the past decade. If the Panthers want to continue the rivalry, then they need to start winning. Six or seven wins per season is not going to cut it.
Maybe they can renew this rivalry in a decade or so. Hopefully by then Pitt is dominating the ACC and the Nittany Lions are competing for Big Ten titles, it would make sense for them to play each other again. Also, once they stop playing each other, I can usually root for the Panthers on occasion.
