BBVA Compass: College bowl game TV Schedule - Jan. 5

BBVA Compass: College bowl game TV Schedule – Jan. 5

A fresher and more battling Mississippi will start strong favourites for Saturday’s at the BBVA Compass Bowl, but their opponents Pittsburgh are just as confident heading into the clash at Legion Field.

WHAT THE FAVOURITES THINK

Mississippi, like every other team earning a place to play college football bowl, haven’t played in while, so they are looking forward to the clash against the Panthers.

In fact, according head coach Hugh Freeze, they are very excited.

“We’re thrilled. We’re excited, and it’s time to play,” Freeze said on www.olemisssports.com. “I know both teams feel that way.

“We’ve had an enjoyable week here in Birmingham, and the BBVA Compass people have been remarkable hosts, and the Sheraton people have been wonderful. I think our kids have enjoyed being around each other and the bowl experience.

“Obviously, the culmination of that would be playing tomorrow and getting a win for our football program, and that’s what we’ve really turned our attention to over the last 24 hours and on into tonight in preparing for tomorrow.

“We’re excited, thrilled to be here, playing at the Old Great Lady (Legion Field). So many great games have been played here, and hopefully our guys can rise to the occasion tomorrow and play their best football.”

Ole Miss ended a three game skid with a 41-24 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 24 and seemed as though that victory setup their place to be here.

At least, that is what Freeze believed.

He said: “Once we got our sixth win, we kind of had an idea of where we would be slotted. You want to play a conference that is a BCS conference, because, not that there are not other quality teams, but that seems to add to the preparation.

“To see the way that Pitt finished the year in taking Notre Dame into three overtimes, we have great respect for their program, and I see a team that is very similar to ours, that plays hard, is well coached, does not turn the ball over, does not have penalties, and some of the things that we try to take pride in also.

“They’re very sound in what they do, and they don’t make a lot of mistakes. I think it’s going to be a great test and a great football game for us.”

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, head into the game on the back of a two game winning streak and know that another confident performance on Saturday could see them beating the odds and finishing off the campaign on a high.