We're not even at the beginning of the season yet, but college football bowl projections run virtually year round. Only a few weeks away from the start of the season, CBS Sports is among those releasing its predictions for bowl games.
↵The site puts Pitt in the Pinstripe Bowl to square off against Kansas State:
↵↵↵Pittsburgh (No. 56 overall): Pinstripe Bowl vs. Kansas State, Dec. 29
↵With a new coaching staff and questions on the defensive line, the Panthers ranking at No. 56 overall is reasonable. Pitt is ranked ahead of Cincinnati (No. 58) and above SEC newcomers Missouri (No. 63) and Texas A&M (No. 64). If the Panthers face the Wildcats in the Bronx, the defensive line could be in for a test. Kansas State is led by a quarterback in Collin Klein, who accounted for 40 touchdowns in 2011. Klein is arguably one of the most underrated players in FBS.
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While that wouldn't be an ideal end to the season for Pitt, finishing out of the conference's top bowl slots, it would at least mean a change from the BBVA Compass Bowl, where the Panthers have played the last two seasons. It also would give fans a much closer destination and hopefully mean there would be more that travel to the game.
↵For more on Pitt football, check out Cardiac Hill.
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