Football: Pitt returns to familiar place for bowl game

For the third consecutive year, the Pitt football team will finish its season in Birmingham, Ala.

After beating Kentucky two years ago and then losing to Southern Methodist last season, the Panthers will return to the BBVA Compass Bowl yet again, this time to face Ole Miss from the Southeastern Conference at Legion Field Jan. 5, 2013, at 1 p.m.

The Rebels (6-6, 3-5 SEC) are coming off an impressive 41-24 triumph over in-state rival Mississippi State in what is known as the Egg Bowl.

Similarly, the Panthers (6-6, 3-4 Big East) won their last game of the regular season to become bowl eligible, defeating South Florida 27-3 Saturday night.

Following the comprehensive Pitt victory, rumors began circulating that the Panthers would face off against rival West Virginia in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium in New York City. But Sunday afternoon, news surfaced that the Pinstripe Bowl selection committee had instead invited Syracuse to the bowl to face the Mountaineers.

That left Pitt with two possible destinations: the BBVA Compass Bowl or the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Hopes that the Panthers would avoid a third straight trip to Birmingham’s uninspiring bowl game were then dashed when Ball State announced it had accepted a bid to the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl.

In a press release, Pitt head coach Paul Chryst said his team is excited to battle Mississippi.

“We’ve been given a great opportunity to play a quality program like Ole Miss,” Coach Chryst said. “I know they finished the season strong and looked impressive in winning the Egg Bowl against Mississippi State. We are appreciative of the City of Birmingham and the BBVA Compass Bowl for giving us the chance to play one more game this season.”

Assuming Chryst remains at Pitt, it will be the first time the Panthers play in the familiar bowl game with a permanent head coach.

Former defensive coordinator Phil Bennett served as interim coach in Pitt’s 27-10 victory over Kentucky in 2011 after Dave Wannstedt resigned as head coach, and former defensive coordinator Keith Patterson oversaw the Panthers’ lackluster performance against SMU last season following Todd Graham’s departure to Arizona State.

Despite admitting that the situation is strange, Pitt athletic director Steve Pederson still expressed his excitement for the game.

“While it is unusual to play in the same bowl three years in a row, we are excited to be facing a traditional program like Ole Miss,” Pederson said. “This game is held in a great football city, and our hosts have already discussed giving our team some different experiences on this trip.”

The game, which will be televised on ESPN, will be the first ever football matchup between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Ole Miss Rebels.