The hype machine for the renewal of the Backyard Brawl hit another gear Thursday when ESPN announced it will bring its popular “College GameDay” show to Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 1 for the West Virginia/Pitt game.

The special, one-hour show goes on the air at 6 p.m. and will include the regular cast of host Rece Davis and analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and David Pollack.

It will be the 422nd road broadcast for “GameDay,” the third for Pitt’s program and the first since the 2005 opener against Notre Dame — former coach Dave Wannstedt’s inaugural game. West Virginia will make its fifth appearance and first since 2017 at TCU.

“Great news,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. “I think Pittsburgh will put on a show for ‘College GameDay.’ It’s going to be an electric atmosphere. I think the Pitt faithful are fired up for that game.

“I‘m excited about it. I know our kids will be excited to have the best of the best there.”

“GameDay” will leave Pittsburgh after the game and head to Columbus, Ohio, for the Notre Dame/Ohio State game Sept. 3.

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