Pittsburgh vs. Houston: Armed Forces Bowl Preview With TV Schedule

After a 2-3 start to the season, the Houston Cougars got their act together to win five of the next seven games, becoming bowl eligible for the second straight season. The Pittsburgh Panthers needed two wins in their final two games of the year in order to become eligible, going 1-6 after a 3-0 start.

The Cougars will be playing with heavy hearts in this bowl game matchup after they found out that their head coach, Tony Levine, would be fired after a mediocre 7-5 season. Houston had usually been known for its prominent passing attack, but it has been much more modest this season with Greg Ward Jr. under center. The sophomore has passed for 1,736 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing about 68 percent of his throws. Deontay Greenberry has been his favorite receiver, catching 68 passes for 756 yards and four touchdowns. Kenneth Farrow leads the run game with 934 yards and 12 touchdowns while Ward Jr. is third on the team with 481 yards and six rushing scores.

Pittsburgh’s pass game this season has been nearly non-existent as it ranks just 105th nationally. However, the run game, led by sophomore James Conner, has been much more impressive, ranking 15th in the country. Conner, a second-year starter, has rushed for 1,675 yards and 24 touchdowns while quarterback Chad Voytik is second on the team with 426 yards and three scores. Voytik’s numbers have been improving, though, as he has thrown for 2,011 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven picks with a 62 percent completion rate. The only receiving target worth mentioning has been sophomore Tyler Boyd who leads the team with 69 receptions for 1,149 yards and eight scores. No other receiver has more than 20 catches or over 205 yards.

Defensively, Houston has been solid this season, allowing 19.5 points (11th) and 335 yards (20th) per game. On the other hand, Pittsburgh has struggled to keep teams out of the endzone, allowing 25.6 points (56th) per game, but have been much better in total defense, ranking 28th in the country.

When: 12 p.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 2

Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas

TV: ESPN

PREDICTION: Pittsburgh 21, Houston 17

Want to see Pittsburgh take on Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].