PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – As the Panthers play their final game at Acrisure Stadium in likely sub-freezing temperatures on Saturday, their bowl game is trending to playing in similar weather.
In a poll of the eight college football experts, 75% have the Panthers playing in either Boston or New York. Most see Pitt playing in Fenway Park weeks before the Penguins play the Bruins in the NHL Winter Classic.
Here are the projections:
CBS Sports
· Pitt v Memphis in the Fenway Bowl on December 17
USA Today
· Pitt v Cincinnati in the Fenway Bowl on December 17
Athlon Sports
· Pitt v Cincinnati in the Fenway Bowl on December 17
Sports Illustrated
· Pitt v Houston in the Fenway Bowl on December 17
Action Network
· Pitt v Purdue in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte on Dec 30
College Football News
· Pitt v Purdue in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 29
ESPN
· Pitt v Purdue in the Pinstripe Bowl on December 29
· Pitt v Oregon State in the Sun Bowl in El Paso, December 31
Opponents
Purdue (6-4)
· average 29.6 points per game while allowing 25.2
· QB Aidan O'Connell 64% completion, 2675 yards, 18 TD, 11 INT
· Devin Mockobee 732 rushing yards/159 receiving, 7 TD
· Charlie Jones 87 receptions, 1010 yards, 10 TD
· Defense has 9 interceptions, 2 Pick Sixs and 4 forced fumbles
· Lost by 4 to Penn State in their opener, beat 21st ranked Minnesota and 21st ranked Illinois
Cincinnati (8-2)
· Average 32.6 points per game while allowing 21.4 (78 TFL, 32 sacks)
· Ben Bryant taking over for Desmond Ridder-62% completion, 2602 yards, 20 TD, 7 INT
· Charles McClelland 766 rushing yards, 117 receiving, 6 TD
· Tyler Scott 49 receptions for 826 yards, 9 TD
· LB Ivan Pace, Jr. with 103 tackles, 18 TFL, 8 sacks, 3 PD, 1 FF
· 2 losses-by 7 points at Arkansas and by 4 at Central Florida
Houston (6-4, coached by former WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen)
· Average 37.4 points per game while allowing 36.2 points
· Clayton Tune 68% completion, 3024 yards, 31 TD, 8 INT/413 rushing yards 5 TD
· 4 backs with over 240 yards rushing (Sneed 489 yards, 5 TD)
· Nathaniel Dell 85 receptions (3rd in FBS), 1017 yards, 13 TD
· 75 tackles for loss and 25 sacks on D with 7 INT and 10 forced fumbles
· Lost by 3 to Texas Tech & Tulane, gave up 77 points in loss to SMU
Memphis (5-5)
· Average 33.1 points per game while allowing 29.4 points
· Seth Henigan 64% completion, 2770 yards, 17 TD, 7 INT/292 rushing yards 4 TD
· 4 backs with over 270 yards-Brandon Thomas 270 yds, 9 TD, Asa Martin 331yds rushing/222 yards receiving 5 total TD
· 6 receivers over 222 yards (Caden Prieskorn 38rec, 480yds, 6 TD)
· 11 interceptions, 49 TFL
· Lost by 1 to Houston, in overtime to East Carolina, by 10 to Tulane
Oregon State (7-3)
· Average 32 points per game while allowing 21.6 points
· 2 QBs-Ben Gulbranson 62% completion, 1042 yards, 7 TD, 3 INT//Chance Nolan 59% completion, 939 yards, 7 TD, 8 INT
· Damien Martinez 729 rushing yards, 5 TD//Jack Colletto 85 rush yards, 6 TD
· Tre'Shaun Harrison 47 rec, 571yds, 4 TD//Anthony Gould 27 rec, 457yds, 3 TD
· Jaydon Grant 52 tackles, 3 INT, 6 PD//Ryan Cooper 3 INT, 8 PD
Still a pair of games left as the bowl eligible Panthers have time to change their destination.
