Unpopular Opinion: Penn State Football Should Not Play Pitt Annually

By Evan Smith | May 14, 2022

Sep 9, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Pitt 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

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The top recruits from around the country get a taste of Beaver Stadium’s atmosphere before Penn State’s big game against the Ohio State University, Saturday, September 29, 2018.Ydr Cc92918 Psurecruits /

Reason 2– Bragging Rights on the Recruiting Trail

I could have labeled this one ‘Little Brother Syndrome’ but decided to be more polite.

Playing Pittsburgh every year gives the impression they are on our level when it comes to college football and simply, they are not. Why allow the opportunity for the Panthers to pull off a crazy upset and maybe convince recruits that we want to come to Happy Valley to think twice. Look at the past few years of recruiting for Penn State compared to Pittsburgh.

2022 — Penn State 7th (in the nation), Pitt 62nd

2021 — Penn State 21st, Pitt 33rd

2020 — Penn State 17th, Pitt 42nd

2019 — Penn State 14th, Pitt 58th

2018 — Penn State 6th, Pitt 48th

2017 — Penn State 15th, Pitt 37th

2016 — Penn State 20th, Pitt 31st

2015 — Penn State 14th, Pitt 47th

For those keeping track at home, that’s an average ranking of 14.25th place for Penn State and 44.75th place for Pittsburgh.

There’s no reason to give the Panthers a platform to try to narrow that gap. Once a little brother, always a little brother.

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