PINSTRIPE BOWL - Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
Kickoff: Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. ET
Line: Pittsburgh -5.5, Total: 65.5

Northwestern will be trying to win its first bowl game since 2012 when the team faces #22 Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Northwestern hasn’t necessarily been a bowl game mainstay over the years, as last year’s Outback Bowl appearance was the team’s first bowl game since 2012. The Wildcats were embarrassed in last year’s game, losing 45-6 against Tennessee, and they’ll be hoping for a different result this time around. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, will be playing in a bowl game for a ninth consecutive season. The Panthers are just 3-5 SU in those eight games since 2008, though. They’ll look to flip the script with a win over a mediocre Northwestern team in this one. One interesting trend when looking at this game is the fact that the Wildcats are 17-6 ATS in road games after gaining 125 or fewer passing yards since 1992. They’re also 16-6 ATS in road games after a game where they forced four or more turnovers since 1992. For those interested in the total, Pittsburgh is 11-1 Over in all lined games this season. The Panthers are also 7-0 Over when coming off of a conference matchup on the season.

Northwestern is going up against an explosive offense, and the Wildcats are going to need to be ready to score a ton of points in order to come away with a win. Fortunately for the team, they do have some serious weapons of their own. In the passing game, QB Clayton Thorson (2,968 yards, 21 TD, 8 INT) will look to make some big plays for Northwestern. Thorson has had five games with three touchdowns this season, and it’ll likely take at least that on Wednesday. He’d be wise to target WR Austin Carr (84 rec, 1,196 yards, 12 TD) as often as possible. Carr is one of the best receivers in the nation, and he had three games with two or more touchdowns this season. He also racked up 100 or more receiving yards on six different occasions. He should have no trouble having a big game against Pittsburgh either. This Panthers team allows a ton of big plays, and it has had trouble with opposing number one wideouts as well. When the Wildcats go to the ground, it’ll be RB Justin Jackson (1,300 yards, 12 TD) who will be having his number called a ton. Jackson rushed for six touchdowns over the final three games of the regular season. He has had an incredible career for Northwestern thus far, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons. Look for Jackson to have a productive afternoon on Wednesday.

The Panthers have had one of the best offenses in football this season, and that is why LSU hired offensive coordinator Matt Canada away from Pittsburgh. The engine that makes this team go is, however, RB James Conner (1,060 yards, 16 TD). Conner was the story of the season, as he returned from both a torn knee and a battle with cancer to get back onto the field this season. He also showed little signs of rust, as he had his second 1,000-yard season in three years. Look for him to have a big performance in his final college game. The same goes for QB Nathan Peterman (2,602 yards, 26 TD, 6 INT), who had a remarkable senior year for the Panthers. He is coming into this game after a huge finish to the year, throwing for 12 touchdowns and just two picks over the last three weeks of the season. In what should be a high-scoring game, it’s likely he’ll throw a ton. He can, however, also use his legs. He rushed for 79 yards in the win over Syracuse in the final week of the regular season, and he is not afraid to take off when he gets in trouble or sees a lane.