Pittsburgh Panther v Bowling Green Falcons
December 26th 6pm Eastern
Ford Field, Detroit
Pittsburgh Season Review
ACC newcomers Pittsburgh finished their first season away from the dissolved Big East with a 6-6 record that tells little of the real story the Panthers endured over the season. 6-6 could have easily been 8-4 or 9-3 if they could have turned around one of the four games they lost by ten points or less. However, they did chalk up an early season win against eventual ACC Coastal champions Duke and provided us with one of the upsets of the season when they knocked off the No. 23 ranked Notre Dame in early November.
The Panthers ranked modestly in the FBS in passing yards, rushing yards, points for and points against rankings – failing to break the top 60 in any category but only slipped outside the top 90 in rushing yards per game.
Bowling Green Season Review
The Bowling Green Falcons won their first Mid-American Conference title in 21 years when they upset the No. 14, undefeated Northern Illinois 47-27.
A victory over Buffalo in the final week ensured their place in the conference championship game after they had previously lost 28-25 to Toledo in October. Other defeated came against Indiana and Mississippi State.
Travis Greene rushed for 1,555 yards and 11 touchdowns which ranked 9th amongst running backs.
Quarterback Matt Johnson passed for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first season as the full-time starter.
The Falcons possessed one of the statistically better offenses in the FBS by ranking inside the top 30 in rushing yards and points scored. The 14.8 points per game they team from Ohio conceded was good for fifth.
Game Matchup
While Bowling Green will look to establish their strong running game to open up the field for Johnson, Pittsburgh has Aaron Donald at defensive tackle to combat such an attack. Donald won the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman), Vince Lombardi Award (outstanding lineman) and the Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year). The senior compiled 54 tackles, 26.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 4 forced fumbles through 12 games.
If Donald plays well the rest of the Pitt defense will follow and the game could be a cracker. However, should Bowling Green negate Donald’s presence and find success against weaker defenders, they should win their first Bowl game since 2004.
Draft Impact
Aaron Donald is the obvious name to follow in this game.
He may be undersized but he could be part of the new wave of defensive tackles that look to imitate the success of Cincinnati Bengal Geno Atkins.
Donald shows amazing first-step quickness that warrants the comparison while also possessing enough strength which, coupled with his nose for the ball, makes him a constant disruption in the backfield.
Pittsburgh wide receiver Devin Street is another intriguing prospect. Despite being overshadowed by freshman Tyler Boyd for much of 2013, he still broke Panther records for receptions. He must add bulk to his 6’3” frame which is great size for the NFL. He is a strong route runner and catches well away from his body. The senior will be a late-round draft pick and, under the right guidance, could be a contributor at the next level.