We all know that the Backyard Brawl is a battle, but this year, the Panthers will be ready for combat.

Pitt was among 10 teams selected to sport Nike’s new high-performance Pro Combat uniforms for one special game this year. The uniforms were designed specifically for each school to reflect that university’s traditions and culture… We all know that the Backyard Brawl is a battle, but this year, the Panthers will be ready for combat.

Pitt was among 10 teams selected to sport Nike’s new high-performance Pro Combat uniforms for one special game this year. The uniforms were designed specifically for each school to reflect that university’s traditions and culture.

“The Nike Pro Combat System of Dress merges innovation and inspiration to deliver the lightest uniform in the industry,” Nike spokesman  Kris Aman said at the unveiling held in New York yesterday, according to a news release. “They’re more than just uniforms. They’re expressions of pride.”

The release did not say why Nike chose to create the new uniforms or how much Pitt would have to pay for them.

The new “system of dress” will be worn on Black Friday when the Mountaineers visit Heinz Field. West Virginia will also sport the Pro Combat uniforms.

The uniforms feature blue shirts and pants, gold numbers and blue-and-gold shoes. The helmets are blue with two gold stripes down the middle.

According to Nike, “The notched Team Gold jersey numbers and stencil stripe on the helmet evoke steel I-beams in reference to Pittsburgh’s steel industry.”

Nike also unveiled a new website that features interactive pages for each of the 10 schools’ new uniforms, nikeprocombat2010.nikemedia.com.

Even the gloves are Pitt-centric.

When the wearer’s hands are raised as if to catch a football, the gloves read “Pitt” in black capital letters.

“A game with immense bragging rights warrants a dose of audacity,” Nike’s website says. “On Nov. 26, the Panthers will show what they are made of.”