A while back, you might remember a column that the Post-Gazette's Ron Cook wrote in which he declared that Pitt was tops among the local major programs, including Penn State and West Virginia. Add another that says the Panthers are ahead of their in-state rival Nittany Lions - CBS Sports:
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh -- Luckily we get to see this one settled on the field on Sept. 10 as the two in-state foes will renew their rivalry in Heinz Field. Pat Narduzzi's changes around the facility and within the program have given us reason to believe a switch is about to be flipped, and it's not crazy to think that Pitt will not only win the in-state battle but finish with more wins and a better conference finish than the Nittany Lions.