Compass Bowl 2010: 10 Things to Know about Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky

In the 2010 Compass Bowl, Dion Lewis and the Pittsburgh Panthers will face off against Derrick Locke and the Kentucky Wildcats.

Pitt began the season ranked 15th in the nation, but three losses in the first five games buried their hopes of a national championship run.

Kentucky wasn't ranked to start out the year, but after winning three straight games out of the starting gates, they had to be feeling good.  Then in-conference games began and it was all downhill from there.

Both teams probably aren't very content with the bowl game they were given, but they'll fight to finish the season strong either way.

Here are 10 things you need to know about Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky.

10. One Common Opponent

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 20: Justin Burke #13 of the Louisville Cardinals runs with the ball during the Big East Conference game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium on November 20, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo

The only team Pitt and Kentucky both played was the Louisville Cardinals.

At home, Pitt crushed Louisville 20-3.  

In their season opener at Louisville, Kentucky defeated them 23-16.

There isn't much to tell by those numbers though.

9. Best Win Not Even Close

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 4: Members of the South Carolina Gamecocks run out of the tunnel before the 2010 SEC Championship against the Auburn Tigers at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Pitt can't get even close to matching Kentucky's strongest win.

The Wildcats outscored the now No. 19 South Carolina Gamecocks 21-0 in the second half to pull the major upset.

No one Pitt beat even drew one vote for the current AP polls. 

8. Recent Bowl History

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NASHVILLE - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Andre Woodson #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats passes the ball during the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl against the Florida State Seminoles on December 31, 2007 at the LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by: Andy Lyon

The Panthers have only received two previous bowl bids since 2005 when Dave Wannstedt took over as head coach.  They are 1-1 in those two games including a win last year against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

In the same time span, the Wildcats are 3-1 in their bowl games including three straight from 2006 to 2008.

7. Different Team Focuses

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Mike Hartline #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws the ball during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 38-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty

The Panthers and the Wildcats this year have different strengths.

Pitt prides itself in a shutdown defense.  They're ranked 22nd in the nation in points allowed per game with 19.8.

On the flip side, Kentucky plays for the shootout.  Their offense is ranked 26th in the nation in scoring, putting up 33 points per game.

When the Wildcats have the ball, each team's strength will be on display.

6. The Vet vs. the Rook

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: Tino Sunseri #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers throws the ball during the Big East Conference game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Pittsburgh won 28-10. (Photo by An

Senior and three-year starter at quarterback for the Wildcats, Mike Hartline, will duel against sophomore and first-year starter for the Panthers, Tino Sunseri.

Hartline has played great all season long, never playing a game where his passer rating dipped under 100.

The local product Sunseri has been a little inconsistent, but he definitely has shown flashes of brilliance.

5. Offenses Boast Explosive Weapons

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Ge

Each team's offense has a player that can get in the end zone on any play.

For Pittsburgh, Jonathon Baldwin is one of the best deep-ball threats in the country.  He's a first-round prospect who will be treating the game like a job interview.

On Kentucky, Derrick Locke is another draft prospect who is a home-run hitter.  He possesses true sub-4.4 speed.

4. Super Sub Backs

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PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 23: Ray Graham #1 of the Pittsburgh Panthers evades a tackle by Ryan Hill #13 of the Miami Hurricanes on September 23, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

When both teams' feature running backs head to the sideline to catch a breather, the offenses don't take a step back with their replacements in.

The Panthers' Ray Graham rushed for 6.4 yards a pop for 832 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.

Randall Cobb, Kentucky's receiver, Wildcat and returner extraordinaire, averages 7.7 yards per touch on the ground.  He rushed for over 400 yards and five touchdowns on the year.

3. Ability to Travel

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GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Trey Burton #8 of the Florida Gators celebrates with tight end Jordan Reed #11 after scoring a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 25, 201

The Pitt Panthers aren't really good or bad on the road compared to their overall record.

Kentucky on the other hand is horrible away from Commonwealth Stadium.

They're 1-4 on the road compared to their 5-2 home record.  

2. Second to Basketball

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 12: Brandon Knight #12 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during the game against East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Rupp Arena on November 12, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

After disappointing football seasons, fans of these two schools would rather just cheer for a successful basketball team than root for their football team in an unwanted bowl game.

Though Pittsburgh is football town, the Panthers basketball team is 9-0 and ranked third in the country.

Kentucky's always been a basketball first, second and third school.  With three freshmen starting, the Wildcats basketball squad is currently 5-2 and ranked 16th in the nation.

1. Prediction

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CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 04: The Pittsburg mascot is pictured covered in snow during the Big East Conference game between the the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy

With weeks to prepare, the Panthers are too talented for the Wildcats in this one.

The mismatches Dion Lewis, Jonathon Baldwin and Jabaal Sheerd will create will push Pitt ahead in the end.

Expect a close one.

Pittsburgh: 24

Kentucky: 21

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer.  Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter