PITT LOSES “BATTLE FOR BOWL WEEK” SERIES AGAINST MICHIGAN STATE

PEACH BOWL

Pitt is only two days away from its Thursday night matchup against Michigan State at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Interim offensive coordinator Tim Salem said yesterday he will call plays from the coaches’ box. He will be communicating with quarterback Nick Patti, who is starting in place of Kenny Pickett, who opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL draft.

Michigan State won the “Battle for Bowl Week” title by defeating Pitt 3-1 in non-football skills competitions. The Spartans won the basketball, Andretti Indoor Karting and Drop it Like It’s Hot trivia competition. Pitt took the “Football Feud” a Family Feud-style game.

OUTBACK BOWL

Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson and safety Jaquan Brisker both announced that they will not play in the Outback Bowl against Arkansas on Saturday. Both are considered first round NFL draft candidates and will skip the game to avoid injury and prepare for the draft.

OTHER BOWL GAMES

Boise State has pulled out of Friday’s Arizona Bowl due to covid-19. That bowl game is canceled and the other team involved, Central Michigan, will instead play in the Sun Bowl against Washington State. The Sun Bowl is also scheduled Friday and it needed a second team after Miami withdrew.

At the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit yesterday, Western Michigan trounced Nevada, 52-24.

Today’s bowl schedule includes five games: