SMU vs. Pittsburgh: Game Time, Radio and TV Coverage Info for BBVA Compass Bowl

The SMU Mustangs and Pittsburgh Panthers have Saturday, Jan. 7 all to themselves, as they will be doing battle in the BBVA Compass Bowl.

Both the Mustangs and the Panthers will be looking to salvage something from what were unspectacular seasons. SMU lost four of its final six games after starting the season 5-1, and Pitt never really got on track, ultimately finishing 6-6.

To see how these two teams stack up, we need to take a closer look at the matchup.

Where: Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.

When: Saturday, Jan. 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN and streaming online at ESPN3.com

Listen: KLIF 570 AM for SMU radio; 93.7 The Fan for Pittsburgh radio

Key Storyline:

Pitt will be playing this game without the man who got it there.

A couple weeks ago, Todd Graham accepted an offer to become Arizona State's head coach, informing his players of his departure via text message.

Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson will coach the Panthers against SMU, and it is fair to wonder how the team will respond to Graham's sudden and controversial exit.

Interestingly enough, Arizona State had been in talks with SMU head coach June Jones, but pulled its offer at the last minute.

Betting Line: Pitt -3.5 (according to Bovada)

Who Might Not Play for SMU:

Per USA Today, linebacker Byron Brown is questionable with a head injury. The Dallas Morning News reported on Dec. 28 that quarterback Kyle Padron is scheduled to have surgery on his foot, so he will be out.

Who Might Not Play for Pittsburgh:

USA Today also lists quarterback Trey Anderson, wide receiver Ronald Jones, running back Zach Brown and wide receiver Devin Street as questionable for Pitt. Anderson has tendonitis in his right wrist, Jones is battling back from a concussion, Brown has a sternum injury and Street has a leg injury.

What It Means for SMU:

Seeing as how June Jones nearly left the program early in December, it is reasonable to ask just how much emotion SMU's players will have invested in this game.

It's a troubling prospect, as SMU is looking to win its second bowl game in three years, and losing to this Pitt team would go into the books as an embarrassment. 

What It Means for Pittsburgh:

Just as you have to question whether or not SMU will show up to play, you have to question if Pitt will show up to play.

Graham's exit is not one of the program's brighter moments, and the players can be forgiven if they feel cheated. It's up to Patterson to get them focused and hopefully salvage some dignity.

What They're Saying:

You don't need to tell Jones that losing the BBVA Compass Bowl would be bad news.

In fact, he told the Dallas Morning News that he'd rather not dwell on a loss until next season:

"'You want to win,' Jones said. 'And the difference in winning a bowl game and losing a bowl game is night and day because you live with it the whole year.'"

If Pitt fans would rather look beyond the present to the 2012 season when former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst will be at the helm for the Panthers, senior running back Zach Brown's words should get you excited.

Here's what Brown told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about Chryst, who coached Brown at Wisconsin before he transferred to Pitt:

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"After what our guys have been through, even before I got here last year, they deserve a coach like coach Chryst. You might see someone who is laid back and doesn't say too many words, but he is very passionate about football. He just always believes that his actions will speak louder than his words. And when he does choose to say something, you, as a player especially, should listen because it is definitely something serious and something you will likely be able to refer back to as long as you live."

 

"

If and when he ends up leaving Pitt, hopefully Chryst will know better than to announce his departure with a text message.

SMU Player to Watch: J.J. McDermott

With leading rusher Zach Line done for the season, the Mustangs are going to need J.J. McDermott to step up his game against Pitt if they want to come away with a win.

The Mustangs will be holding their breath in this regard. McDermott has talent, but he's awfully erratic; he threw as many interceptions as touchdown passes this season.

On the bright side, the Panthers had just eight interceptions during the regular season, the fewest in the Big East. 

Pittsburgh Player to Watch: Tino Sunseri

I hate to double up on the quarterbacks, but Tino Sunseri is going to be vital to Pitt's success against SMU.

Sunseri's primary concern should be staying off the turf, as he was sacked a grand total of 55 times during the regular season. The constant pressure did not help his production.

If Sunseri stays upright, he has the potential to be pretty good. Against SMU and its 70th-ranked offense, the Panthers don't exactly need Sunseri to be Robert Griffin III.

Key Matchup: SMU's Pass-Rush vs. Pitt's O-Line

Sunseri himself deserves some blame for the 55 sacks he took during the regular season, but he didn't get much help from his offensive line. The line didn't do a very good job of protecting Sunseri, and the results speak for themselves.

If SMU can succeed where Pitt's other opponents succeeded, there's no reason to think the Mustangs can't win this game. Pitt is a weak team to begin with, and the Panthers have gotten much weaker since losing Ray Graham for the season.

Prediction: SMU 24, Pitt 17

The Panthers are weak and disillusioned, so I'll take the Mustangs to win this one.