Pat Narduzzi @CoachDuzzPittFB
An education that will last a lifetime. #H2P pic.twitter.com/q6gzyXiDe7
Matt Fortuna ESPN Staff Writer
A non-champion makes the College Football Playoff for the first time, and while few would argue against Ohio State's inclusion, you have to wonder what it will take for there ever to be two teams from one conference in the final top-four, as the Big Ten had three of the final top six. Penn State won the Big Ten and beat Ohio State, but two early losses did the Nittany Lions in, including a three-point loss at rival Pitt, which can forever take pleasure in keeping its arch rival out of the Playoff in their first meeting in 16 years.
Andrea Adelson ESPN Staff Writer
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney came over to say hello to Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi and running back James Conner and joked, "Are you trying to ruin my night?" Pitt handed Clemson its only loss this season. He then turned to Conner and congratulated him on winning the Brian Piccolo Award, telling him what an inspiration he's been.
LINK:
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/221/pittsburgh-panthers
PREDICTIONS:
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: No. 23 Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern
(2 p.m., ESPN, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York)
Pitt has the strongest 8-4 record in the country -- wins over No. 2 Clemson and No. 5 Penn State -- and a coach (Pat Narduzzi) who faced Northwestern as a defensive coordinator on various teams for years. Northwestern's offense has improved enough to keep pace into the second half, but Pitt will be too much in the fourth as James Conner scores two touchdowns. Pitt 38, Northwestern 28.
LINK:
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18202412/41-games-42-predictions
For Lair WVU & PSU Posters too!
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual: No. 9 USC vs. No. 5 Penn State
(5 p.m., ESPN, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California)
No two coaches led better in-season turnarounds than USC's Clay Helton and PSU's James Franklin thanks in large part to quarterbacks Sam Darnold (USC) and Trace McSorley (PSU). Both teams and both quarterbacks are hot, and both have dynamic running backs (Saquon Barkley at Penn State and Justin Davis at USC) and receivers (USC's JuJu Smith-Schuster and Penn State's DaeSean Hamilton). Expect a shootout, but USC mounts a late drive for the win. USC 38, Penn State 36.
Russell Athletic Bowl: No. 16 West Virginia vs. Miami
(5:30 p.m., ESPN, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)
A streaky Miami team ended the season on an upswing, but West Virginia has the experience and talent on both sides of the ball. WVU has the edge on the perimeter with cornerback Rasul Douglas and a receiving corps -- Dakiel Shorts Jr. and Shelton Gibson -- loaded with playmakers. The Mountaineers win a tight one. West Virginia 34, Miami 33.
An education that will last a lifetime. #H2P pic.twitter.com/q6gzyXiDe7
Matt Fortuna ESPN Staff Writer
A non-champion makes the College Football Playoff for the first time, and while few would argue against Ohio State's inclusion, you have to wonder what it will take for there ever to be two teams from one conference in the final top-four, as the Big Ten had three of the final top six. Penn State won the Big Ten and beat Ohio State, but two early losses did the Nittany Lions in, including a three-point loss at rival Pitt, which can forever take pleasure in keeping its arch rival out of the Playoff in their first meeting in 16 years.
Andrea Adelson ESPN Staff Writer
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney came over to say hello to Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi and running back James Conner and joked, "Are you trying to ruin my night?" Pitt handed Clemson its only loss this season. He then turned to Conner and congratulated him on winning the Brian Piccolo Award, telling him what an inspiration he's been.
LINK:
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/221/pittsburgh-panthers
PREDICTIONS:
New Era Pinstripe Bowl: No. 23 Pittsburgh vs. Northwestern
(2 p.m., ESPN, Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York)
Pitt has the strongest 8-4 record in the country -- wins over No. 2 Clemson and No. 5 Penn State -- and a coach (Pat Narduzzi) who faced Northwestern as a defensive coordinator on various teams for years. Northwestern's offense has improved enough to keep pace into the second half, but Pitt will be too much in the fourth as James Conner scores two touchdowns. Pitt 38, Northwestern 28.
LINK:
http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/18202412/41-games-42-predictions
For Lair WVU & PSU Posters too!
Rose Bowl Game Presented by Northwestern Mutual: No. 9 USC vs. No. 5 Penn State
(5 p.m., ESPN, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California)
No two coaches led better in-season turnarounds than USC's Clay Helton and PSU's James Franklin thanks in large part to quarterbacks Sam Darnold (USC) and Trace McSorley (PSU). Both teams and both quarterbacks are hot, and both have dynamic running backs (Saquon Barkley at Penn State and Justin Davis at USC) and receivers (USC's JuJu Smith-Schuster and Penn State's DaeSean Hamilton). Expect a shootout, but USC mounts a late drive for the win. USC 38, Penn State 36.
Russell Athletic Bowl: No. 16 West Virginia vs. Miami
(5:30 p.m., ESPN, Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida)
A streaky Miami team ended the season on an upswing, but West Virginia has the experience and talent on both sides of the ball. WVU has the edge on the perimeter with cornerback Rasul Douglas and a receiving corps -- Dakiel Shorts Jr. and Shelton Gibson -- loaded with playmakers. The Mountaineers win a tight one. West Virginia 34, Miami 33.
