ESPN college football writers Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach both wrote their bowl predictions for the FBS schools, placing Pitt in two different bowl games.
Bonagura predicted that Pitt would take on Pac-12 school Cal in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Friday, Dec. 29 in El Paso, Texas. Schlabach wrote that Pitt would take on Big 12 school Kansas State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 28.
Neither writer wrote a blurb nor an explanation for the ranking, so it’s unknown how they came to their decisions.
The prediction for the Sun Bowl is one that Pitt fans will surely love. Pitt has played in the Sun Bowl five times, tied for fourth most in the game’s history. Two of those matchups have happened in the past five seasons, which saw Pitt lose 14-13 to Stanford in 2018 and then won in dramatic fashion against UCLA last season, 37-35.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl, which has had previous sponsors in Cheez-It (2020-22), Camping World (2017-19), Russell Athletic (2012-16) and Champs Sports (2004-11), is a much more desired bowl game for Pitt.
That particular bowl game features the top non-ACC and the second non-Big 12 College Football Playoff teams, respectively.
Pitt has played in the Pop-Tarts Bowl once, back in 2001 when it was the Visit Florida Tangerine Bowl. Pitt used a 21-point second quarter and a great performance from wide receiver Antonio Bryant to win the game 34-19 against NC State and quarterback Phillip Rivers.
ESPN writer Pete Thamel spoke on Pitt this week and said he was “bullish” on the team ahead of the 2023 season.
Pitt football opens up its season with a match against FCS opponent Wofford at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2 at Acrisure Stadium.
