BLOG — A week after earning bowl eligibility with a 41-24 win over Mississippi State in the annual Egg Bowl, the Ole Miss Rebels have learned their bowl destination and opponent.Ole Miss (6-6 overall) will take on Pittsburgh (6-6) in the BBVA Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Ala. The annual contest is played at Legion Field. The Rebels have never played in the bowl that is owned by ESPN, while the Panthers, members of the Big East, are making a third straight trip to the bowl.
“I’m obviously very excited in year one to be going to a bowl game and I’m looking forward to getting back in the office after recruiting visits this week and preparing for Pittsburgh,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. “I know they will be a quality opponent from a quality conference. I know very little about them right now but I’m looking forward to digging in and getting to know them. I think the main thing I would like to express is just how excited I am for our fans and our young men, especially for our seniors who get to go out experiencing 60 more minutes of football this year.”
Ole Miss Athletics Director Ross Bjork, who said Ole Miss is obligated to sell 10,000 tickets for the bowl, had similar thoughts on the bowl.
“We are excited to continue our great bowl tradition and accept an invitation to the BBVA Compass Bowl,” Bjork said. “Congratulations to Coach Freeze and his staff for the fantastic turnaround in one year. I especially want to congratulate our seniors and the rest of the team for their hard work and for buying into the cultural change for our program.”
(December 2, 2012)
MS expat living in near Pittsburgh here.
Pittsburgh, or Pitt as the locals call them, are playing well lately. Notre Dame couldn’t tackle either of their running backs who are probably as good a combo as anyone in the SEC outside of Bama. Their fans think the receivers are better than they really are. I find them pedestrian. Pitt’s weak spots are offensive tackle, linebacker, kicker and QB. All of his completions are under 15 yards, he doesn’t even bother to try to throw longer and really panics in the pocket during pressure, which shouldn’t be hard to get. He’ll always take the sack rather than try to make a challenging throw. He’s very maligned here.
The linebackers are all 2nd and 3rd string although maybe they got some guys back, I’m not sure. The offensive tackles are revolving doors, but the coach really does a good job of minimizing the team’s weaknesses with short step drops, screens and roll outs.
I think the Rebs pull this out because we’re more battle tested coming out of the SEC and because we’re too experienced with losing to underestimate anyone. If the players do underestimate them they will get licked good.
The fans are similar to ours – used to disappointment but not ready to accept it. Boy they love to boo their own team but that’s yankees for you. Nice folks, just different.