The football programs of Pittsburgh and Penn State are recognized as having one of the most intense rivalries in college sports, despite the fact that they currently don’t play each other regularly. Their history and close proximity in Pennsylvania make the absence of this rivalry all the more noticeable.
Pittsburgh, particularly, feels the absence keenly, as evidenced by comments from Panthers head coach Pat Narduzzi. During the ACC Kickoff, he expressed a strong desire to renew the rivalry with Penn State, alongside their ongoing rivalry with West Virginia. However, Penn State has only played Pitt four times since 2000, winning three of those matchups between 2016 and 2019.
The disparity in their scheduling boils down to differing priorities. Penn State, being a larger program with significant national stature, may prioritize non-conference games that offer more financial return or potentially easier wins. In contrast, Pittsburgh values the tradition and intensity of the rivalry, unwilling to compromise on home game scheduling that could impact their revenue.
Despite Penn State’s historical dominance in the series, the decision not to play Pitt regularly likely stems more from strategic scheduling than fear of competition. For fans, the absence of this game represents a loss, highlighting the disconnect between fan desires and the decisions made by college football programs and conferences.