PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The team bowl eligible in October, Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said he hasn't discussed a bowl game with his team. He said he's not worried about that now, it's about ending a four-game losing streak. However, the rest of us may be curious.
We looked up what some of the experts are saying about games and potential matchups with a brief note about all of them. There are some intriguing potential opponents
USA Today
· Pinstripe Bowl, December 28 at Yankee Stadium (history 2016, 31-24 loss to Northwestern)
· Pitt vs Nebraska
· It's been an interesting season for Nebraska, an early win against Colorado (limiting the Buffalos to 10 points) had fans anticipating a rebirth as they returned to the Top 25. The Cornhuskers are 6-5 and probably better than that when factoring in they lost to #24 Illinois in overtime, lost by four at #2 Ohio State, followed by a pair of one-score losses in Los Angeles. Defensively Nebraska is fourth in the Big 10 with 11 interceptions and fifth with 65 tackles for loss
Action Network-Brett McMurphy
· Pinstripe Bowl
· Pitt vs Michigan
· The defending national champions are 6-5 this year becoming bowl eligible on Saturday with a 50-6 home win against Northwestern (biggest margin this year). The Wolverines rebounding after a big home loss to Texas to beat then #11 USC, but losses to Washington, Illinois, Oregon and Indiana quickly ended any repeat hopes. Michigan is fourth in the Big 10 with 69 TFL, but is 17th in passing yards, 16th in TD passes and eighth in rushing.
247 Sports
· Pinstripe Bowl
· Pitt vs. Minnesota
· It's a Golden Gophers team that can turn you over leading the Big 10 with 16 interceptions to go along with eight forced fumbles allowing 18.4 points-per-game. Minnesota has struggled offensively, 16th in rushing and 11th in passing yards. At 6-5, Minnesota lost to North Carolina in the season opener, lost by 17 at Iowa, by seven at Rutgers and then had chances, but fell to Penn State by one.
CBS Sports
· Holiday Bowl, December 27 in San Diego (history, would be first time)
· Pitt vs Washington
· The NCAA runners-up are 0-5 away from home with losses to Washington State, Rutgers, Iowa, Indiana and Penn State. The Huskies can throw the ball-top 5 in the Big 10 in completion percentage, yards-per-attempt, yards per game and passer rating, Jonah Coleman has rushed for 1009 yards and nine touchdowns, yet only scoring 22 points-per-game. Defensively Washington gives up 152 yards-per-game on the ground.
Athlon Sports
· Holiday Bowl
· Pitt vs Washington State
· The Cougars are 8-3, but aside from Texas Tech and Washington, few notable wins. WSU lost at Oregon State 41-38 in a thriller last Saturday. The Cougs average 38.8 points per game with 177.8 yards rushing and 276.7 yards passing per game. QB John Mateer has 28 TD to six interceptions while also Washington State's leading rusher with 770 yards and 14 TD. WR Kyle Williams has 967 yards receiving and 12 TD. Defensively giving up 177 yards rushing and 260 yards passing and 29 points-per-game
Sporting News
· Pop-Tarts Bowl December 28 in Orlando (history, formerly called the Blockbuster Bowl, Pitt beat NC State 34-19 in 2001)
· Pitt vs Baylor
· The Bears are 7-4 and winners of five straight, Baylor lost early in the season at Utah, at Colorado (OT), at BYU (by 6), at Iowa State. The recent winning streak includes a 49-35 victory in Morgantown. The Bears are third in the Big 12 in points (33.7) and a plus 29 in rushing yards per game. Bryson Washington has rushed for 812 yards and 10 TD, QB Sawyer Robertson has 22 TD to 7 INT and while a few issues defensively, are fourth in the conference with 23 sacks.
College Football Network
· Birmingham Bowl (history, 3 straight appearances 27-10 win over Kentucky in 2011, 28-6 loss to SMU in 2012 and 38-17 loss to Ole Miss in 2013)
· Pitt vs Arkansas
· 6-5 on the season that includes a double-overtime loss at Oklahoma State, four-point loss to Texas A&M, 10-point loss to Texas and a signature win 19-14 over Tennessee. Razorbacks are second in the SEC in total yards, led by a rushing game third in the SEC at 185 yards-per-game and fifth with 272 passing yards-per-game. They also hold teams to 115 yards rushing a contest. WR Andrew Armstrong has 69 receptions for 1,012 yards. Former Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino is the offensive coordinator
Other bowls Pitt would be eligible for
· Military Bowl, December 28 in Annapolis
· Fenway Bowl, December 28 in Boston
· Sun Bowl, December 31 in El Paso
· First Responder Bowl, January 3 in Dallas
· Duke's Mayo Bowl, January 3 in Charlotte
Still another week for to impact the selections with New York City being the lead destination and the mention of Birmingham.
