Sometimes a single game and especially a single win means a little more than all of the others, even if they aren't supposed to.  Coaches and players continually fire the common clichés at the press: “It is just one game”, “A win is a win, regardless of who it is against” or “Every game on the schedule is equally important.”

Sounds great but it is not the reality.

I agree that every game is very important, but I also think that some take on a greater responsibility for a football program. The latest chapter of the Backyard Brawl history book could just be one of those battles that do take on a much larger importance.

Sure, the fact that West Virginia’s dramatic 19-16 triumph over the #8 ranked Pittsburgh Panthers is still very new makes it important.  Pitt’s high national ranking coming into the contest sweetens the pot as well.  The taste of revenge after the 2007 disaster is delicious and regardless of rankings or revenge, anytime the Mountaineers beat Pitt it is a great day that extends into a great year.

The way I see it though, this West Virginia win may just be a program saver.

Think back to 2007 when Pitt rolled into Morgantown and shocked the Mountaineers.  Since that dark day the Panthers have transformed from a non bowl team to a possible BCS bowl team in 2009.  That one game changed the minds of many recruits and also boosted the confidence of a program that was struggling to find its way under head coach Dave Wannstedt.

As Mountaineer fans, the last thing any of us wanted to see is the boys from Pittsburgh gain any more momentum moving forward.  If Pitt would have won last Friday night how many more recruits would have chosen the Panthers in the coming year?  Would the college football world start to view West Virginia as a second tier program on the decline?  Would Pitt become the Beast of the East and push West Virginia into the shadows?

College football for the most part functions on the reality of “What have you done for me lately?”  A third straight loss to Pitt would have been a tough problem to solve for Bill Stewart and his West Virginia football program.  It would have also been the third loss in the Big East conference for the Mountaineers, putting them in the middle of the pack and into a less than desirable bowl situation.  Not to mention the possibility of a fourth league loss with Rutgers on the road left on the schedule.

All of those scenarios would have been horrible for West Virginia, scenario’s that could have crippled the program for a while.

A loss to Pitt did not occur though on a cold night inside Milan Puskar Stadium.  Instead, a gutty and inspired effort was put forth by a football team that refused to sink into mediocrity.  That effort has put the Mountaineers in position to close the season on a very high note this weekend at Rutgers.

And that effort has sparked a strong sense of hope and confidence for a team and fan base that has struggled through a tough 2009 season.

Rutgers is sure to be another tough test, but if this football team can win on the road in New Jersey they will likely find themselves in another New Years Day bowl game.  If that scenario materializes then this program will go from life support two weeks ago to born again heading into next season.

That is why some games are more important than others, sometimes teams find themselves in a situation when their program is in jeopardy.  I truly believe WVU was at that point last Friday. 

From coaches to players though, this team and program answered the bell and pulled out a very important victory against their biggest rival.  A victory that hopefully continues to pay needed dividends in the future.

The Rutgers game is another highly important game now, a loss pays no dividends and the Pitt win becomes less lucrative.  It will be exciting to see if this group can answer the bell for a second consecutive week.  I am sure the Mountaineer nation will be hanging on every snap.

Send your story ideas or comments to ernie@wvradio.com.