Game Day Saturday: Week 2 of the 2016 College Football season brings us the Cy-Hawk Game in Iowa City

Saturday, September 10th 

• Boston College at UMass 11:00 am on NESN / SNY / (CSNC / CSBA) / espn3 / ASN  - the Eagles lost a close ACC opener in Dublin on Saturday, as they travel to meet the Minutemen carrying a 19-2 record, since 1966 against them ... upset alert?
• Central Michigan at Oklahoma State 11:00 am on FS1 - the game was semi-close in Michigan last year, in the season opener, but the Cowboys should take down the Chippewas at home ...
• Cincinnati at Purdue 11:00 am on BTN - the Boilermakers are 1-0, now turning to the FBS side of the 2016 schedule, against the Bearcats out of the AAC ... this game was an ugly loss for Darrell Hazel in his Purdue debut, so can the Boilermakers get some payback in '16?
• Howard at Rutgers 11:00 am on BTN - two 0-1 teams after the Bison got shot down at Maryland, so the Scarlet Knights can expect a nice rebound after the opening week loss @ Washington!
• Indiana State at Minnesota 11:00 am on ESPN News - the Golden Gophers took out the Oregon State Beavers in Week 1, so Sycamores are today's red meat in Week 2 ... 
• Lamar at Houston 11:00 am on CSNC+ / espn3 / ASN - the Cougars open on home field after taking care of business against OU in NRG Stadium in season opener, as the Cardinals are 0-6 against FBS ...
• Nicholls State at Georgia 11:00 am on SECN - the Bulldogs kickoff coach Kirby Smart's home opener with the FCS Colonels, who went down 95-0 last year against two FBS opponents ...
• North Carolina State at East Carolina 11:00 am on ESPNU - the Pirates took down the Wolfpack in 2010, in the last visit to ECU, so coach Dave Doeren needs to pull this one out ... 
• Penn State at Pittsburgh 11:00 am on ESPN / WatchESPN / espn3 Skycam - haven't played each other, since 2000, so the Nittany Lions-Panthers renewal should be one of the better match ups in Week 2 ... Go Panthers!
• Prairie View at Texas A&M 11:00 am on SECN alternate - the Aggies are 10-0 in this series and the Panthers just missed the FCS playoffs last season ...
• Rice at Army 11:00 am on CBSSN / CBSSN - the Black Knights won in Week 1 @ Temple, so Army needs pick it up at home, with a 1-4-1 record against the Owls in the past ...
• UCF at Michigan 11:00 am on ABC / espn3 - the Scott Frost era began, after a 0-12 season in 2015 for the Knights, but a road trip to Ann Arbor isn't likely to be pretty, as they kickoff the FBS slate in 2016 ...
• Wyoming at Nebraska 11:00 am on ESPN2 - the Cornhuskers are 7-0 in this series, though the 2013 season opener went down to the wire, so 2nd year Mike Riley team is expected to simply take care of business in this one!
• Charleston Southern at Florida State 11:30 am on ESPN Extra/ FSN Affiliates- with 14 players suspended for the Buccaneers, this will be an ugly and early one in Tallahassee for the Seminoles ...
• Troy at Clemson 11:30 am on ESPN Extra / ACC Network - the Trojans in 2011 lead at the half against the Tigers in previous meeting, only to lose 43-19 in the season opener ...
• Utah State at USC 1:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - the Aggies in 2013 lost a close one 17-14 in coach Matt Wells first season, so the Trojans need to take care of business, after a 52-6 disaster against Bama in Arlington to kickoff 2016 ...
• Youngstown State at West Virginia 1:00 pm on RSPI - Bo Pelini lost last year in his debut season with the Penguins @ Pitt, so fitting the Panthers' old rivals, the Mountaineers, are his next FBS showdown, where coach Dan Holgorsen is 6-0 against FCS foes ...
• Ohio U at Kansas 1:30 pm on FSN Affiliates - the Bobcats are coming off a 0-1 start, as former Huskers coach Frank Solich heads back to Lawrence against his old Big 12 foe, the Jayhawks, who opened with an FCS win over RI ...
• Akron at Wisconsin 2:30 pm on BTN - the Badgers got off to a great start with a win in Lambeau over LSU, so Wisconsin now looks to get to 3-0 in the series against the Zips ...
• Eastern Washington at North Dakota State 2:30 pm ESPN Extra / espn3 / NBC ND (cable) 
• Illinois State at Northwestern 2:30 pm on BTN - last year the Redbirds opened with Hawkeyes in a 31-14 loss, so how will the Wildcats rebound coming off the opening game 22-21 loss vs. Western Michigan?
• Kentucky at Florida 2:30 pm on CBS - the Wildcats fell late in season opener against Southern Miss, while the Gators took care of business against UMass, as Stoops' Wildcats head to Gainsville for the SEC East opener ...  
• Nevada at Notre Dame 2:30 pm on NBC - the Wolf Pack won a 30-27 game over Cal Poly, as the Fighting Irish fell down in Austin in OT, so this one could get ugly quick, as Notre Dame readies for a rivalry game in Week 3 ...
• North Dakota at Bowling Green 2:30 pm on ALT / NESN Plus / espn3 / ASN (cable) - wow, what did the Falcons do at Ohio State last week? The Fighting Hawks won @ Wyoming last year ... 
• Old Dominion at Appalachian State 2:30 pm on CSMA+ / CSBA / espn3 / ASN  - C-USA vs. Sun Belt showdown as Monarchs turn to FBS slate, while Mountaineers are coming off OT loss @ Tennessee ... can't afford a letdown game with Miami-FL next weekend!
• SMU at Baylor 2:30 pm on FS1 - it is the sixth meeting in this rivalry, since the SWC days!
• UConn at Navy 2:30 pm on CBSSN - time to kickoff AAC play in this inter-division match up, that went 28-16 for the Midshipment last year ... the Huskies are 1-7 in this season, so tough game today for Bob Diaco's team!
• Tulsa at Ohio State 2:30 pm on ABC / espn3 - the Golden Hurricane and Buckeyes have never meet, but road games at Power 5 opponents haven't been good for Tulsa ...
• Wake Forest at Duke 2:30 pm on ESPNU - after closing ACC play the past two seasons, the Demon Deacons and Blue Devils open conference play in this inter-division showdown ...
• Western Kentucky at #1 Alabama 2:30 pm ESPN2 - coach Jeff Brohm is entering Year 3 and the Hilltoppers finished #24 and 12-2 last seaosn, including a bowl win over USF, but the Crimson Tide won 35-0 in 2012 ...
• Ball State at Indiana 3:00 pm on ESPN News - IU is coming off a bowl season and a road win to open 2016, so doesn't want to take lightly a meeting against a little brother in-state school out of the MAC, as the Cardinals arrive in Bloomington ...
• Middle Tennessee at Vanderbilt 3:00 pm on SECN alternate - the Blue Raiders seek to be the next C-USA programs working to earn a win on the road in the SEC? Won last time @ Vandy!
• Wofford at Ole Miss 3:00 pm on SECN - the Rebels rebound against the Terriers, but huge SEC opener at home in Week 3 against #1 ...
• Idaho at Washington 4:00 pm PAC-12 Network - the Huskies may be the dark horse in some peoples minds to win the Pac 12, but they may be the favorite, as Chris Petersen leads in Year 3 in Seattle ...
• Montana at Northern Iowa 4:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 / PSN (cable) - the Panthers beat ISU 25-20 in Ames, as the Grizzles come to town, as UNI seeks a strong September start in '16 ...
• Idaho State at Colorado 4:30 pm PAC-12 Network / PAC-12 - the Buffalos took care of business in the Colorado rivalry in Denver, now the home opener in Boulder against the Bengals ...
• Morgan State at Marshall 5:00 pm on beIN Sports / beIN Video / Facebook Video - We are ... hosts the Bears to kickoff the 2016 season, as the Thundering Herd didn't open in Week 1 ...
• Arkansas at TCU 6:00 pm ESPN / WatchESPN / espn3 Skycam - time for Being Bret Bielema to pull off a solid September Power 5 road win!
• Louisiana Monroe at Oklahoma 6:00 pm on PPV -
• Northern Illinois at South Florida 6:00 pm CBSSN / CBSSN Video 
• South Carolina at Mississippi State 6:00 pm ESPN2 / WatchESPN 
• UTEP at Texas 6:00 pm LHN / WatchESPN 
• Arkansas State at Auburn 6:30 pm SECN / WatchESPN 
• BYU at Utah 6:30 pm FOX / FSGo Video 
• Eastern Michigan at Missouri 6:30 pm SECN alternate / WatchESPN 
• Iowa State at Iowa 6:30 pm BTN - Kirk Ferentz was given a contract extension through 2026 this week, as he looks to even the Cy-Hawks series in his 18th season at .500, as the Cyclones have been one of his biggest thorns head to head, since 1999 ...
• Jacksonville State at LSU 6:30 pm ESPNU / WatchESPN 
• North Carolina at Illinois 6:30 pm BTN - the Lovie Smith era kicked off last week; opportunity knocks to pull off upset as Tar Heels come to town to take on Fighting Illini ...
• New Mexico at New Mexico State 7:00 pm on ESPN Extra / FSAZ+ / FSSW+ / FSPT / espn3 / AggieVision 
• Tennessee vs. Virginia Tech (Bristol) 7:00 pm on ABC / espn3 
• UNLV at UCLA 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network
• Texas Tech at Arizona State 9:00 pm FS1 / FSGo Video 
• Washington State at Boise State 9:15 pm ESPN2 / WatchESPN 
• California at San Diego State 9:30 pm CBSSN / CBSSN Video 
• Virginia at Oregon 9:30 pm ESPN / WatchESPN -
• Grambling at Arizona 9:45 pm PAC-12 Network / PAC-12 
• Bethune Cookman at North Texas 6:00 pm on $CUSA Video 
• Eastern Illinois at Miami-OH 2:30 pm espn3 
• Florida Atlantic at Miami-FL 5:00 pm WatchESPN 
• Georgia Southern at South Alabama 6:00 pm espn3 / ASN (affiliates) 
• Georgia State at Air Force 1:00 pm MWC Video
• Maine at Toledo 6:00 pm espn3 
• McNeese State at Louisiana Lafayette 6:00 pm espn3 
• Mercer at Georgia Tech 2:00 pm WatchESPN 
• NC Central at Western Michigan 6:00 pm on espn3 - the Broncos are coming off a B1G road opener, as they kickoff the home slate, as the Eagles come to Kalamazoo! 
• Portland State at San Jose State 3:30 pm -  
• Sacramento State at Fresno State on 9:00 pm -
• South Carolina State at Louisiana Tech 6:00 pm on $CUSA -
• Southern at Tulane 7:00 pm on espn3 - 
• Stony Brook at Temple 12:00 pm espn3 - the Owls fell at home against Army in the opening week, so the Seahawks get a bruised program coming off a strong season, but opening 2016 very different ...
• UT Martin at Hawaii' 11:00 pm on Oceanic PPV - the Warriors opened 0-2 playing in Australia and in Ann Arbor, so when a FCS comes to the island, you have to take care of business!
• UTSA at Colorado State 3:00 pm on MWC Video - the Rams won 33-31 last year on the road, so coming off rivalry game, they don't want to take this one lightly ...

Iowa (2-0) vs. Pittsburgh (2-0) - The Fifth Big Ten vs. ACC Football game on Saturday

Iowa City, IA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) will host their first night game at Kinnick Stadium, since they hosted Penn State during the 2012 Big Ten season, as the Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0) come to Iowa City for a 7 p.m. kickoff on the Big Ten Network.

Close calls and fourth-quarter drama have ruled recent Pitt-Iowa series history. In the past three meetings, the average margin of victory has been three points. The Hawkeyes rallied from double-digit deficits to win each of the past two games, 31-27 in 2011 and 24-20 in 2014. The Panthers won in 2008, 21-20.

Pitt junior WR 23 Tyler Boyd
is back, after a solid performance,
10 catches for 153 yards,
in last year's Iowa-Pitt game.

The Panthers are seeking a 3-0 start for the second consecutive year and fourth time since 2000. Pitt previously opened a season with three victories in 2000, 2009 and 2014. Those quick starts ultimately resulted in bowl invitations in each of those years.

The Hawkeyes have not opened with a 3-0 start, since the 9-0 start, during the 2009 season, under coach Kirk Ferentz, who is entering his seventeenth season as head coach at Iowa. On the flip side, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi is entering his third game as head coach for the Panthers. As a former defensive coordinator at Michigan State, Narduzzi was 3-4 vs. Iowa from 2007-2013. The Hawkeyes and Spartans didn't play in 2014.

This is the seventh game in the series, that is tied 3-3. The rubber match will take place in prime-time in Iowa City at historic Kinnick Stadium, as Pitt coach Narduzzi spoke about the upcoming match against the Hawkeyes. On Big Ten Network, Joe Beninati on play-by-play and Chuck Long, as analyst.

“We have a big road game, with a crazy atmosphere, out at the University of Iowa. I don’t believe I’ve ever played at night there so I can imagine that it’s going to be a good atmosphere for our kids and theirs. We told our guys yesterday that preseason is over. This is a big time for us to find out what we have. Our guys are going to prepare a little bit more every week as we go on. The games get a little bit bigger and we’ll be 2-0 going out to Iowa City. It’s going to be a big ball game,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi shared on Monday.

On Iowa coach and Pittsburgh native Kirk Ferentz, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi:

“Kirk Ferentz is an offensive-minded coach. He’s an O-line guru and a tremendous football coach. [Iowa] will be known for their toughness and like us, will be known as a blue-collared tough football team. It will be a tough football team up front. They have a lot of [alumni] playing in the NFL, seems like they have a first-rounder every year. They’re going to be a tough football team. We have to be ready.”

Since 1999, Kirk Ferentz's first year as Iowa head coach, the Hawkeyes have had a future NFL player start on the offensive line in every season. In each of the last eight years, an eventual NFL first-round draft pick started on the offensive line. Brandon Scherff, selected by the Washington Redskins fifth overall in 2015, was Iowa's left tackle from 2012-14. 

Riley Reiff, selected 23rd overall by the Detroit Lions in 2012, started at left tackle from 2010-11. Bryan Bulaga, selected 23rd overall by the Green Bay Packers in 2010, started at left guard in 2007 before moving to left tackle in 2008-09. From 2005-06, Baltimore Ravens All-Pro Marshal Yanda shared time at tackle and guard for the Hawkeyes. Mike Elgin, a seventh round selection of New England, was Iowa's starting center in 2004. Pete McMahon, drafted by Oakland in 2005, was Iowa's right guard in 2003. Oakland's first round pick in 2004, Robert Gallery, was Iowa's left tackle from 2001-03. Eric Steinbach (Cincinnati) started at guard for Iowa from 2000-02, and Bruce Nelson (Carolina) was a four-year starter from 1999-02. Both players were second round draft picks in 2003.

Iowa junior 89 Matt VandeBerg
caught a 44 yarder last year at Pitt.
He had career day in the ISU win
last week on the road.

On if he’s curious to see how his team matches up with a Power-5 team in Iowa, Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi shared:

A 13 yard TD pass to make it 7-7 
in the first quarter at Pitt in '14.
Iowa senior TE 80 Henry Krieger
Coble scored the Hawkeyes' first
TD in the 24-20 win at Pitt.

“Of course. Every coach is. Like I told the kids last night, they don’t care what you did last week. Even if you beat USC last weekend, they don’t care what you did last time or the week before. We only care about next Saturday. That’s all we care about. That’s all I really care about. I don’t care how many sacks you had. I want to know how many sacks you’re going to have this week or how many touchdown passes. You get more curious every week how we’re going to react on the field in a big-time atmosphere on national TV. It’ll certainly be interesting. Again, you can get beat at any second, so you better come ready. Arkansas saw that this week with Toledo and Maryland saw that this week with Bowling Green. We could’ve seen it, but we came ready to play and our guys played a darn good ball game. We can say it’s easy, but it isn’t easy. Every game is a battle.”

Iowa junior QB 16 C.J. Beahard
leading the Hawkeyes 2nd half
come back victory at Pitt in 2014.

Iowa is facing it's second Power 5 out-of-conference opponent, after winning at Iowa State, 31-17, in Ames last weekend. The Hawkeyes return to Kinnick Stadium, with the first of four trophies in hand, that Iowa will compete for in rivalry games in 2015. Pitt is playing their first Power 5 opponent for 2015, after a 24-7 road win at Akron.

Two 2-0 teams, from Power 5 conferences, in the final of five ACC vs. Big Ten match ups in Week 3 of the 2015 College Football season.

Last year, Pitt junior QB 16 Chad
Voytik lead the Panthers, but this
season, new OC Jim Chaney has
two QBs he is considering for today.

A look at the Quaterbacks in Iowa-Pitt game:
Last year, Iowa played two quarterbacks at Pitt, after starter Jake Rudock was injured at the end of the first half.  C.J. Beathard led the University of Iowa football team on three second-half scoring drives to rally the Hawkeyes from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Pittsburgh, 24-20, at Heinz Field. He hit seven of eight passes for 98 yards.

Now, a junior and #1 QB for Iowa, Beathard improved to 3-0 in his career as a starter. He is 1-0 at home, and 2-0 on the road (Purdue, 2014; Iowa State, 2015). He was 15-of-25 for 215 yards passing and a career high three touchdown at ISU, last week. He rushed 10 times for 77 yards. The 10 rushing attempts was a career high. Senior transfer Jake Rudock is leading the Michigan Wolverines against UNLV in the Big House today.

Pitt junior transfer QB 4 Nate Peterman
running the ball in 24-7 win at Akron.

Pittsburgh has two junior quarterbacks at OC Jim Chaney's disposal. Junior Chad Voytik lead Pitt in 2014, but junior graduate transfer Nate Peterman, left Tennessee, where he started one game and figures into the rotation for the Panthers this week, at Iowa.

On if he hopes a quarterback will separate himself:

“Yes, you always hope for that. I think both of those guys are pretty equal back there. We’ll find out in the heat of the battle,” Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi shared on Monday during his press conference.

Iowa has been very balanced running and passing the ball, after the first two games in 2015.

Iowa senior RB 33 Jordan Canzeri
started last year's game and enters
the starting lineup tonight vs. Pitt.

The Hawkeyes offense at Iowa State, Iowa senior RB Jordan Canzeri had another career game, with a career-high 24 times for 124 yards and a touchdown. He scored from eight yards on Iowa's final scoring drive. It was his fourth career rushing touchdown and second this season. Canzeri had had over 100 all-purpose yards for the second straight week.

Iowa junior WR Matt VandeBerg has scored a touchdown in three straight games. He caught touchdowns against Tennessee and Illinois State, and returned a fumble three yards today for a touchdown. VandeBerg played 22 career games before catching his first touchdown. He had career highs in receptions (9) and yards (114). His 47-yard reception in the fourth quarter was a career long.

Iowa senior PK 1 Marshall
Koehn hit a career long
52 yard field goal near
the end of the 3rd quarter
at Pitt last season to pull
Iowa to a 20-17 deficit.

Iowa Junior WR Riley McCarron's first catch of the season was a 25-yard, eventual game-winning touchdown at Iowa State. It was his first career touchdown. Iowa's #1 WR, senior Tevaun Smith, also had a touchdown against ISU. It will be interesting to see how the Iowa passing game figures in the Iowa-Pitt game. 


Senior TE Henry Krieger Coble had a career best 34 yards receiving. He scored a TD reception, in last year's game at Pitt. Redshirt freshman TE Jameer Outsey made his first career start last week at ISU. Junior TE George Kittle played last week and is expected to play more coming off a knee injury in the season opener against Illinois State.

Iowa senior PK Marshall Koehn has connected on five consecutive field goal attempts over the last five games. Koehn is 5-of-6 in his career on field goals 40-plus yards. He hit a career long 52 yard field goal at Pitt.

Pittsburgh OC Jim Chaney is a former Big Ten coordinator, like his head coach. He was at Purdue from 1997 to 2005. Also, like his head coach, he had a 3-4 record against Iowa, against Hayden Fry and during the early Kirk Ferentz era.

Unlike Iowa's #1 running back junior LeShun Daniels, Jr., who suffered an ankle injury at Iowa State last week; Pittsburgh lost junior starting RB James Connor for the season, to a knee injury in Week 1.

On Pitt freshman RB Qadree Ollison’s first game as a starter, last week against Akron, coach Pat Narduzzi said:

Pitt true freshman RB 22 Darrin Hall
scored a TD last week at Akron.

“He was good. He could’ve been better, like a lot of us. I probably could’ve been better, too. I think he was a little sore, though. Qadree was good. Was he great? No. He missed some things. Darrin Hall came in and played pretty solid, too. It’s his first start, too. It’s always easy coming in as a reliever, don’t forget that. It takes a little bit of pressure off of you when you’re not the guy starting. Qadree came in being the guy with maybe a little bit more pressure on him than he wanted or we wanted, but he’ll step up. You could say that the Youngstown game was his first game. He came in and didn’t have any time to think about being the guy. He had no idea he was going to be the guy. Now that he has an idea he’s the guy, we’ll see how he responds in week two.”

The Pittsburgh Panthers are lead in the passing game by junior WR Tyler Boyd and senior TE J.P. Holtz. The running backs likely will be an option in the Panthers passing attack, as well, as each of the running backs have caught passes.

COACHING RECORDS
Kirk Ferentz is in his 20th year as a college head coach and his 17th year as Iowa's head coach. His career record is 129-106 and he is 117-85 at Iowa. He is the 12th Big Ten Conference coach to win 100 games.

Pat Narduzzi is in his first year as a college head coach, with a record of 2-0. He most recently was the defensive coordinator at Michigan State for eight seasons (2007-14), and has also been an assistant coach at Rhode Island, Northern Illinois, Miami, Ohio, and Cincinnati.

Pitt junior NT Tyrique Jarrett
anchors the Panthers defensive
line with 1 sack, 3 TFL.

The Panthers return seven starters from the 2014 6-7 team, lead by now Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst. The strength of the unit may be the secondary for the Panthers.

Senior SLB Nicholas Grigsby leads the Panthers in tackles and two sacks on the young season. Junior MLB Matt Galambos is second in tackles for the Panthers thus far in 2015.

This should be a physical game, as Narduzzi is known for solid run defense and winning at the line of scrimmage.

Special teams could be very important in this game. Pittsburgh's junior PK Chris Biewitt has missed two field goals, in four attempts this season. He is in his third season as the placekicker. Sophomore punter Ryan Winslow returns for 2015 and is averaging just under 40 yards a punt.

Iowa's defense is lead by senior DE Drew Ott, who has two sacks on the season, but suffered a dislocated elbow at Iowa State in the first quarter. It will be interesting to see how the Pittsburgh offense attacks Ott's replacement. Iowa will likely see redshirt freshman Parker Hesse forced into action again. Hesse has one sack on the season.

Iowa's defensive line will be lead by DEs senior 34 Nate Meier, redshirt freshman
40 Parker Hesse and junior DT 67 Jaleel Johnson. Iowa's other DT is sophomore
99 Nathan Bazata. The Hawkeyes will be tested by a Pittsburgh O-Line.

The Iowa defense are off to a strong start in 2015, but the unit isn't basking in its success. The Hawkeyes have surrendered 98 rushing yards and no touchdowns through the first two games. Iowa is allowing 1.78 yards per carry to rank 10th nationally, and the Hawkeyes have the No. 8 rushing defense in the country, giving up 49 yards per game.

"(Defensive coordinator) Phil Parker and defensive line coach Reese Morgan say never to become complacent," said Johnson. "We have another opponent coming up."

"Pitt has a big, aggressive offensive line and both guards are back. If we play like we did at Iowa State, we should be good up front."

On Pitt’s pass protection:

“We have a lot of guys rotating in there. We have to protect the quarterback, obviously, better than we did [on Saturday]. Like I said, they [Akron] had two very good defensive ends that are athletic and physical. We just have to continue to understand what someone is doing to us. We have to change some of our sets. We can’t just rely on the same set every time. That’s something the young guys are going to have to learn how to do, and they will,” as Pitt coach Narduzzi talked ahead of the Iowa game.

The Iowa offensive line is anchored by senior C 63 Austin Blythe. The Iowa offense
is lead by junior QB 16 C.J. Beathard, as the Pitt middle defense is lead by
junior MLB 47 Matt Galambos. It is a 7 p.m. kickoff on the Big Ten Network.

Look for another close game in the Iowa-Pitt series on Saturday night. 

Our pick: Iowa 27, Pittsburgh 24.

Week 3 Saturday: It is a mini ACC-B1G day in College Football with 5 match ups

Saturday, September 19th

• Air Force at Michigan State 11:00 am on ABC - no let down for the Spartans, coming off big time, prime-time win over Oregon in Week2
• Buffalo at Florida Atlantic 11:00 am on CSNC / ASN (affiliates) - The Owls over the Bulls works here, though you never know on any given Saturday ...
• Illinois at North Carolina 11:00 am on ESPN2 - can Bill Cubit raise the bar with the Fighting Illini in the first B1G - ACC match up of the day?
• Kent State at Minnesota 11:00 am on BTN - the Golden Gophers should unload the roster today back home in the friendly confines of TCF Bank Stadium.
• Nevada at Texas A&M 11:00 am on SEC Network - The Aggies at home should take care of business as Wolf Pack hit the road coming off a road loss against another Power 5 opponent.
• South Florida at Maryland 11:00 am on ESPNU - Turnovers derailed the Terps in Week 2, so all hands on deck, as they work to rebound ahead of conference play in a couple weeks ...
• Tulsa at Oklahoma 11:00 am on FS1 - The Sooners are coming off a big road OT win at Tennessee, so could it be a slow start before the better team takes care of business?
• UNLV at Michigan 11:00 am on BTN - The Wolverines should take care of business in the Big House, as QB Jake Rudock looks to get to 2-1 as a Michigan man!
• UConn at Missouri 11:00 am on ESPN - The Tigers return home, after a brief scare on the road against a non-Power 5 program ...
• Wake Forest at Army 11:00 am on CBSSN / ESPN GoalLine - Power 5 vs. non-Power 5 ...
• Central Michigan at Syracuse 11:30 am on ESPN Extra / FSN Affiliates / ACC-RSN / espn3 - another non-Power 5 on the road at a Power 5 - upset alert?
• Northwestern at Duke 11:30 am on ESPN Extra / ACC Network / espn3 - Game II Big Ten vs. ACC, with the Wildcats hitting the road, lead by a redshirt freshman QB ... Blue Devils may earn one here!
• Georgia State at Oregon 1:00 pm on PAC-12 Network - The Ducks rebound in an early game, after a late night game in the Central Time zone in East Lansing ... this may be a grinder on Saturday ...
• Rice at North Texas 1:30 pm on DTV: 608 / FCSC (cable) - Go the Fighting McCarney's ahead of his homecoming in Iowa City in Week 4 ...
• Louisiana Tech at Kansas State 2:00 pm on FSN Affiliates - Non-Power 5 vs. Power 5 ... the Wildcats need to take care of business, as they break in some new players in bigger roles in '15.
• Memphis at Bowling Green 2:00 pm on (CSNC / espn3) / ASN (affiliates) - Bowling Green is coming off a B1G road win ... can they stay focused and take care of business at home?
• Auburn at LSU 2:30 pm on CBS - SEC West showdown in Baton Rouge ...
• East Carolina at Navy 2:30 pm on CBSSN - Two non-Power 5 programs that have made noise at times over the past years ... Pirates vs. Midshipmen 
• Georgia Tech at Notre Dame 2:30 pm on NBC / NBC Video - The Yellow Jackets head into South Bend with a huge opportunity to make a statement, as the Fighting Irish rebound, after the loss a their #1 quarterback in '15. 
• Nebraska at Miami-FL 2:30 pm on ABC / ESPN2 - Game III - Big Ten vs. ACC in a rematch from last season, as the Hurricanes and Cornhuskers square off in South Beach!
• North Dakota at North Dakota State on 2:30 pm ESPN Extra / espn3 / NBC ND (cable) - the FCS battle of North Dakota, one opened with a FBS win, while the four-time FCS champion opened with a loss ...
• Northern Illinois at Ohio State 2:30 pm ABC / espn3 / ESPN2 - The Buckeyes are too much against the MAC's best program over the past five years ...
• Troy at Wisconsin 2:30 pm on BTN  - Can Troy make a stand in Madison?
• UTSA at Oklahoma State 2:30 pm on FS1 - The Cowboys should take care of business, as other Power 5 programs have against UTSA ...
• Virginia Tech at Purdue 2:30 pm on ESPNU - ACC vs. B1G IV - The Hokies are 0-1 against the Big Ten, but the Boilermakers aren't the Buckeyes, but they are looking for a B1G win here in Darrell Hazell's third season ...
• Austin Peay at Vanderbilt 3:00 pm on SEC Network Alternate -
• Northwestern State at Mississippi State 3:00 pm on SEC Network -
• Western Kentucky at Indiana 3:00 pm ESPN News -
• Utah State at Washington 4:00 pm PAC-12 Network - 
• Furman at UCF 5:00 pm on ESPN Extra / espn3 -
• South Carolina at Georgia 5:00 pm on ESPN / espn3 -
• Colorado vs. Colorado State (Denver) 6:00 pm on CBSSN -
• Texas Tech at Arkansas 6:00 pm ESPN2 -
• Western Carolina at Tennessee 6:00 pm ESPNU -
• California at Texas 6:30 pm FOX -
• Florida at Kentucky 6:30 pm SEC Network -
• Iowa State at Toledo 7:00 pm ESPN News -
• Maine at Tulane 7:00 pm ESPN Extra / espn3 -
• Pittsburgh at Iowa 7:00 pm on BTN -
• Rutgers at Penn State 7:00 pm on BTN -
• San Jose State at Oregon State 7:00 pm on PAC-12 Network -
• SMU at TCU 7:00 pm on FSN Affiliates -
• Stanford at USC 7:00 pm on ABC / espn3 -
• UTEP at New Mexico State 7:00 pm on ALT / FSAZ / ESPN Extra / espn3 - 
• Wyoming at Washington State 7:30 pm on PAC-12 Network -
• Ole Miss at Alabama 8:15 pm ESPN -
• BYU at UCLA 9:30 pm FS1 - 
• Northern Iowa at Cal Poly 9:30 pm on CSCA / ASN (affiliates TBA) / KSBY (cable) / Big Sky Video - The Panthers have a huge task at hand in Week 3 ...
• Utah at Fresno State 9:30 pm on CBSSN 
• Northern Arizona at Arizona 10:00 pm on PAC-12 Network -
• Ball State at Eastern Michigan 2:00 pm espn3
• Charlotte at Middle Tennessee 6:00 pm - 
• Cincinnati at Miami-OH 2:30 pm espn3 
• The Citadel at Georgia Southern 5:00 pm espn3 
• Missouri State at Arkansas State 6:00 pm espn3 
• Murray Statee at Western Michigan 6:00 pm espn3 
• Norfolk State at Marshall 2:30 pm ASN (affiliates)
• North Carolina Central at Florida International 5:00 pm 
• North Carolina State at Old Dominion 6:00 pm ASN (affiliates) 
• Savannah State at Akron 11:00 am espn3 
• South Alabama at San Diego State 7:00 pm MWC Video 
• Southeastern LA at Ohio U 1:00 pm espn3 
• Southern Miss at Texas State 6:00 pm espn3 
• Temple at UMass 2:00 pm on espn3 
• UC Davis at Hawaii 11:00 pm on MWC Video / Oceanic (cable) 
• William & Mary at Virginia 2:30 pm espn3 
• Wofford at Idaho 4:00 pm espn3 -

Iowa Hawkeyes will face another former B1G coordinator in 2015, when Pittsburgh comes to Kinnick

PITTSBURGH -- Nationally recognized as one of college football's brightest coaching talents, Pat Narduzzi Friday was named the new head coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Narduzzi will return to Big Ten county in 2015, when Pittsburgh (6-6 in '14) travels to play Iowa (7-5 in '14) during a ACC/Big Ten match up at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

A coach's son who grew up 70 miles from Pittsburgh in Youngstown, Ohio--a city that also takes pride in its industrial heritage and football tradition--Narduzzi has spent the past eight years orchestrating Michigan State's perennially devastating defense. Under his direction, the Spartans are the only team to rank in the nation's top 10 in total defense and rushing defense each season from 2011-14.

Working under two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year Mark Dantonio, Narduzzi has helped Michigan State to Top 25 finishes in four of the past six seasons. The Spartans finished No. 3 in both polls last year following a Big Ten title and 24-20 victory over No. 5 Stanford in the Rose Bowl. In the wake of that championship season, Narduzzi was named the 2013 recipient of the prestigious Broyles Award, annually presented to the country's top assistant coach.     

This season, Michigan State is ranked No. 8 in the country with a 10-2 record and will face No. 5 Baylor (11-1) in the 2015 AT&T Cotton Bowl on January 1 in Dallas, Texas. The Spartans once again boast an exceptional defense that yields just 293.5 yards per game (seventh best in FBS) and has forced a Big Ten-high 33 turnovers.

"Our goal was not only to find the best football coach but also a person who would uphold the values and mission of the University of Pittsburgh. In Pat Narduzzi we have found that person," said Pitt's Acting Athletic Director Dr. Randy Juhl. "His achievements on the football field are well documented. Pat is widely regarded as a rising star in the coaching profession who is ready to lead his own program. It was obvious from our conversations that he also embraces the responsibilities he has beyond the game. Pat wants to impact the lives of his student-athletes long after their Pitt careers end. We are excited about what our young men can accomplish, on and off the field, under his watch."

Narduzzi has been a highly respected Big Ten defensive coordinator at Michigan State. The game in Iowa City in 2015 should take on even more interest with Narduzzi's first game against a Big Ten opponent. During the 2014 season, Iowa enjoyed a comeback to defeat at Pittsburgh from a 10 point second half deficit 24-20 on the road. Wisconsin hired back their former offensive coordinator Paul Chryst, after three seasons as Pittsburgh's head coach.
 
"The selection of Pat Narduzzi as our head football coach gave us an exceptionally satisfying conclusion to a very gratifying search," Pitt Executive Vice Chancellor Jerry Cochran said. "As we began the process, we believed the Pitt head coaching position was a highly attractive opportunity. That belief was only reinforced by the tremendous interest we received from sitting head coaches as well as offensive and defensive coordinators from across the country. Ultimately, our feeling was unanimous that Pat was the best person to lead our program into what will be a very exciting future."

"I am very honored to be the new head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh," said Narduzzi, the 37thhead coach in the program's history.  "I want to thank Chancellor Gallagher, Executive Vice Chancellor Jerry Cochran, Dr. Randy Juhl and Donna Sanft for providing me with this tremendous opportunity. It is an honor to join a program with such great history and tradition. I am very eager to begin working with the young men who are already in the program and meet people throughout the Pitt community. We are going to work very hard on the field, in the classroom and in the community to make the University of Pittsburgh proud."

Narduzzi has tutored an impressive list of decorated defensive players, including first team All-Americans in cornerback Darqueze Dennard, safety Kurtis Drummond, linebacker Greg Jones and defensive tackle Jerel Worthy.

Dennard was a unanimous All-American in 2013, becoming the first Michigan State cornerback to earn that distinction. He also was the school's first winner of theJim Thorpe Award, annually given to college football's top defensive back. Dennard was a first-round NFL Draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014, the first Spartans DB taken in the initial round since 1961.

Narduzzi has coached 19 first-team All-Big Ten selections. Four players have won the conference's top individual awards under his watch, including the past two Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year honorees (Dennard in 2013 and Drummond in 2014). Shilique Calhoun was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2013 while Greg Jones was the overall Defensive Player of the Year in 2009.

Prior to Michigan State, Narduzzi spent three years (2004-06) as defensive coordinator under Dantonio at Cincinnati, helping the Bearcats to a pair of bowl invitations.

In 2003, Narduzzi was the defensive coordinator at Miami-Ohio under the late Terry Hoeppner. The RedHawks stormed to a 13-1 record that season, capturing the Mid-American Conference (MAC) championship and defeating nationally ranked Louisville in the GMAC Bowl to finish No. 10 in the Associated Press poll. While quarterback Ben Roethlisberger headlined Miami's offense, Narduzzi's stout unit topped the MAC in rushing defense (19th nationally), scoring defense (22nd nationally) and pass efficiency defense (34th nationally).

Narduzzi served as linebackers coach at Northern Illinois for three seasons (2000-02). NIU won a pair of MAC divisional titles during his tenure and in 2002 had the league's top rushing defense.

From 1993-98, Narduzzi coached at his alma mater, Rhode Island, serving as the Rams' defensive coordinator his final two seasons. He began his coaching career at Miami-Ohio, working as a graduate assistant in 1990 and 1991, before earning his first full-time position as receivers coach for the 1992 season.

Narduzzi was an all-state performer at Youngstown's Ursuline High School, leading the Irish to the Steel Valley championship and Ohio state playoffs as a senior in 1984. He was a starting linebacker under his father, the late Bill Narduzzi, as a freshman at Youngstown State University in 1985 before transferring to Rhode Island and became a three-year starter for the Rams from 1987-89.

Bill Narduzzi was head coach at YSU from 1975-85. He led the Penguins to two NCAA Division II playoff appearances, including the national championship game in 1979, and twice was named the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Coach of the Year. 

Pat Narduzzi completed his bachelor's degree in physical education at Rhode Island in 1990 and later earned a Master of Science in sports studies at Miami-Ohio in 1992. He and his wife Donna have four children: Arianna, Christina, Patrick and Isabella.

Narduzzi will finish out his role as Michigan State defensive coordinator against Baylor in the 2015 Cotton Bowl.

NARDUZZI PERSONAL INFORMATION

Born: April 22, 1966

Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio

Alma Mater: Rhode Island, 1990

Family: Narduzzi and his wife Donna have four children: Arianna, Christina, Patrick and Isabella.

COLLEGIATE PLAYING EXPERIENCE

Rhode Island, three-year starter at linebacker (1987-89).

Youngstown State, starter at linebacker (1985).

COLLEGIATE COACHING EXPERIENCE

Miami (Ohio), 1990-91, graduate assistant; 1992, wide receivers.

Rhode Island, 1993-97, linebackers; 1998-99, defensive coordinator.

Northern Illinois, 2000-02, linebackers.

Miami (Ohio), 2003, defensive coordinator.

Cincinnati, 2004-06, defensive coordinator.

Michigan State, 2007-14, defensive coordinator, 2013-14, assistant head coach.

Pittsburgh, 2015, head coach.

BOWL GAMES COACHED

2003 GMAC Bowl

2004 Fort Worth Bowl

2007 Champs Sports Bowl

2009 Capital One Bowl

2010 Valero Alamo Bowl

2011 Capital One Bowl

2012 Outback Bowl

2012 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl

2014 Rose Bowl

2015 Cotton Bowl

GAME DAY IOWA; the Hawkeyes hit the road for a game in ACC Country vs. the Pittsburgh Panthers @ Heinz Field

The Hawekeyes and Panthers square off in this Big Ten-
ACC showdown on ESPNU in Week 4 of '14.

Pittsburgh, PA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1) face a huge hurdle in their first road game of the 2014 season at the Pittsburgh Panthers (3-0, 1-0 ACC Coastal division) with an 11 a.m. game on ESPNU from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Hawkeyes look to rebound, after a disappointing home lost in their Cy-Hawk Game with Iowa State in a 20-17 defeat at historic Kinnick Stadium.

The Pitt-Iowa game could develop into a game of strengths, with the undefeated Panthers averaging 344.3 yards a game rushing the football on offense, while the Hawkeyes have allowed only 65.7 yards rushing, while on defense in the early 2014 season.

"It is going to come down to who wants it more and that will determine who is going to win that battle," said Iowa senior defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat. "We have an opportunity to make some plays and we accept the challenge."

Pittsburgh's rushing attack (344.3) is fourth in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Sophomore running back James Conner has carried the ball 81 times for 544 yards (6.7 yards per attempt) with eight touchdowns. Only Aaron Jones on UTEP has more yards on the ground this season.

"It will be a big test for us and we look forward to it up front," said Iowa senior defensive tackle Carl Davis. "It is going to be a new stage compared to the teams we have been playing, but we look forward to the challenge and how we match up."

Iowa is sixth (65.7) in NCAA FBS against the rush and has 19 tackles for loss. Trinca-Pasat leads the way with four tackles for loss, followed by junior defensive end Drew Ott (3.5) and senior linebacker Quinton Alston (three).

"It is going to come down to who wants it more and that will determine who is going to win that battle. We have an opportunity to make some plays and we accept the challenge." Louis Trinca-Pasat Iowa defensive tackle

"I love physical football so this is a great test for us," Alston said. "It is a test that we need especially since we are about to go into Big Ten play. I feel good; it's going to be a race to the ball and I want to be the first to the ball and try to get some TFLs (tackles for loss) out of it."

Iowa and Pitt have played twice since 2008, with each team winning a tight game on its home field. In 2008, the Panthers held on for a 21-20 victory despite 147 rushing yards from Hawkeye Shonn Greene. In 2011, Iowa overcame a 24-3 third-quarter deficit by scoring the final three touchdowns -- two to wide receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley -- to post a 31-27 win.

"It was a great atmosphere and it was a big win for that team at that point," Martin-Manley said of the 2011 matchup. "Being a young guy, you're confident, but at the same time when you don't see the plays happen you kind of get down. When you do see those plays, you're like `alright I can do it' because you have done it before."

The Panthers have a new head coach, since the two games earlier in the four game series Iowa-Pitt are playing. Former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst is in his third season at the helm at Pitt.

Chryst said the following of Iowa's head coach ahead of today's game: “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Kirk Ferentz, and it’s going to be a well-coached team. He believes in physical offense, physical defense. It’s always going to be a challenge. I’m excited for our guys to play. It’s going to be a good atmosphere. It’ll be a good physical game, and we’ve got to rise up and meet that challenge. It’s a great opportunity for us. The amount of success that he’s had for a long time—there’s a lot of programs across the country trying to do that.”

Iowa head coach Ferentz said statistics after three weeks -- like rankings -- tell something, but not everything. He was referring to the Panthers running for 1,033 yards and passing for 304. They can do both well, Ferentz warns.

"Pitt isn't throwing the ball much right now because they haven't had to." Ferentz said. "They can throw the ball." Sophomore Tyler Boyd is the #1 wide receiver and top return specialist in the Panthers attack.

The Hawkeyes have not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. Ball State ran the ball 39 times for a total of 90 yards -- 81 coming from running back Jahwan Edwards. Northern Iowa rushed 25 times for 25 yards and Iowa State attempted 26 runs for 82 yards.

"It's going to be a real challenge (slowing Conner)," Ferentz said. "He's strong and fast. He has the ability to see and pick holes. They're big and athletic up front. It's a tough group to prepare for."

"The statistics reflect what they are," said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz on Tuesday at his weekly news conference inside the Hayden Fry Football Complex. "They're a very good football team, and we have a big challenge ahead of us."

Pitt's James Conner leads the nation
 in rushing TDs (eight) and is second
in rush yards (544).

The Panthers' offense has been potent early, ranking 15th nationally at 44.7 points per game in victories over Delaware, at Boston College, and at Florida International. Pittsburgh ranks fourth nationally at running the football, with 181.3 coming from Conner, while sophomore quarterback Chad Voytik is second in rushing for the Panthers.

"Pitt is not throwing for much right now because they haven't had to," said Ferentz. "They've demonstrated they can run it, and they've run it against everybody. When you look at the film, they're impressive up front and the running back is a good player."

Ferentz sees a lot of Wisconsin in the Panthers and for good reason. Chryst was a member of Bret Bielema's staff in Madison in 2002 and served as the Badgers' offensive coordinator from 2005-11.

Ferentz said the Iowa offense has shown glimpses this season with long and productive drives, but the trouble has been consistency. He is steadfast in the identity he seeks offensively.

"One thing I am firm on, we have to have the ability to be balanced, and we would hopefully play in a physical nature," he said. "We're not going to be a finesse offensive football team. We have to have the ability to run or pass."

Iowa's rushing attack should be back at full strength at Pittsburgh after gaining 129 yards on 44 attempts against Iowa State. Ferentz expects junior Jordan Canzeri to play against Pittsburgh after getting dinged up on a kick return against the Cyclones. Canzeri has been dinged in fall camp and during the last couple of games for Iowa.

Iowa is also trying to find the right mix and rhythm to get sophomore LeShun Daniels, Jr., back in the mix. Daniels, Jr., didn't have an attempt against Iowa State on Sept. 13. He scored the first touchdown of the season for Iowa during the early part of the UNI game.

"We're not ruling anything out (with LeShun)," said Ferentz. "We haven't found the right rhythm or tempo. We'll keep working at it." Iowa senior running backs Mark Wesiman and Damon Bullock saw most game action vs. Iowa State. Freshman Jonathan Parker is another running back, who has seen game action during the 2014 season.

Ferentz confirmed sophomore Anthony Gair will make his first start at free safety at Pittsburgh, filling in for junior Jordan Lomax, who will miss the first half after being ejected for targeting against Iowa State -- a rule Ferentz says is hard to officiate.

"There are going to be a lot of mixed opinions," said Ferentz. "My feeling when it all started was when everybody in the stadium says, `Whoa,' that's when a guy should get tossed out. I thought Jordan was trying to avoid targeting. That was my view of it, but it's easier said than done."
Ferentz is stressing the importance of moving on from a last-second loss to Iowa State.

"We all have to move on," he said. "Whether we win or lose, that's how it goes. We can worry about it out-of-season. We need to worry about what we're doing and matching up against our opponent.
"People that can't do that aren't going to do very well over the long haul. That's how it is, and it's easier said than done."

ESPNU will have Adam Amin and John Congemi, a former Pitt QB from 1982-86, in the booth, with Niki Noto on the sidelines. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:01 a.m. Central Time.

The Hawkeyes have never won at Pitt over years. Pitt leads the series 3-2, with the average score Pitt 22-20, so another tight, close ball game could be on store in 2014?

This is the third game ever between the teams at Pitt. It is hard to rally and call it "three's a charm" for Iowa, with the last game at Heinz Field in 2008.

The Panthers are eyeing a 4-0 start for the first time since the 2000 season. The Panthers were 7-6, 3-5 for sixth in the ACC Coastal division in '13.

Iowa coach Ferentz is a graduate of nearby Upper St. Clair High School and served as a graduate assistant on Jackie Sherrill's 1980 Pitt coaching staff. He left Pitt for Iowa, becoming former Iowa head coach J. Hayden Fry's offensive line coach in 1981. The Hawkeyes ended a 19 season non-winning streak in Ferentz's first year, winning the Big Ten and representing the Big Ten in Fry's first Rose Bowl trip.

Iowa needs the offensive line to elevate their game in 2014 at Pitt, if Iowa is going to pull off a road win. The Hawkeyes front 7 and secondary will be tested, as well by Pitt.

“You’ve got good players and a good scheme, that’s always a key part of it. You’ve got to work to get yards on them. It’s a sound defense, and they’ve got good players. Whatever you get, you’ll earn. It’s fun to play them that way because nothing will be given,” said Pitt coach Chryst in talking about the Iowa defense.

Keys to the Game:

• Turnovers and miscues
• Establishing control of the line of scrimmage
• Explosive plays
• Special teams

While there isn't a lot of series history between Iowa and Pitt, both teams often see each other on the recruiting trail. Pitt true frosh WR Adonis Jennings' recruitment came down to Iowa and Pitt, for example.

Pitt is favored to win today's game. 

Iowa needs a spark, whether it is via turnover, the offense, defense and/or special teams delivering an explosive play. Iowa needs to establish something for more than two drives. It has been a struggle for Iowa week to week in '14. A coming out party at Pitt is a tall order. 

Phil Steele heading into 2014 called Pittsburgh a big question-mark, with the need to replace DT Aaron Donald, who was the most dominate Panther last year. The Panthers beat Bowling Green 30-27 in the Little Caesars Bowl in '13.

If Iowa is going to give Pitt a game today, the Hawkeyes will have to establish the line of scrimmage. Other than against the run this season, Iowa has not accomplished that ability very well in '14.

The 2008 and 2011 games are over. The only constant has been Iowa's head coach Kirk Ferentz. It is a homecoming for Iowa's ole ball coach. Can he lead his team to his first victory at Pitt?

We shall see. Last week, we called for a 25-15 win. Heck, maybe we were a week early? We shall see indeed.

In 1999, Iowa fans watched Ron Dayne roll over Iowa. It was an ugly game for the Hawkeyes. It is more likely a game that will be close today. Iowa will need turnovers and a spark going into Heinz Field.

Will the grass be greener for the Home Team or Visitors from the Big Ten?

Post Christmas Bowl Games on Thursday feature two MAC programs in action

Thursday, December 26th Little Caesars Bowl: Bowling Green (10-3) vs. Pittsburgh (6-6) at 5 p.m. on ESPN (HD) The Pitt Panthers are filling in for the B1G role, since the Big Ten didn't have an eligible team to provide for this year, so it is a MAC vs. ACC match up at Ford Field in Detroit. Preview Bowling Green is 4-6 in bowl games. The Green Falcons lost last year's Military Bowl to San Jose State. Pittsburgh is 12-17 in bowl games. This is the sixth straight bowl game for the Panthers, after playing in three straight Compass Bowls, including back to back bowl losses, with the most recent vs. Ole Miss. Poinsettia Bowl: Northern Illinois (12-1) vs. Utah State (8-5) at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN (HD) It will be NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch's swan song for the Huskies, in a battle of MAC and MWC programs at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Preview Northern Illinois is 4-4 in bowl games. The Huskies lost in last year's Orange Bowl to Florida State and are playing in their sixth straight bowl game. Utah State is 2-5 in bowl games. The Aggies are playing in their third straight bowl game, after winning the Idaho Potato Bowl last year over Toledo.