Pitt is set to face Michigan State at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Thursday night in the 54th edition of the Peach Bowl. The New Year’s Six bowl game will pit the No. 12 Panthers, who come into the matchup with an 11-2 record after their win in the ACC title game, against the No. 10 Spartans, who have played to a 10-2 record in 2021.
The Panthers will be missing three key contributors, as Kenny Pickett, Taysir Mack and Damarri Mathis all opted out of the game. Meanwhile, the Spartans will be missing Kenneth Walker III at running back as well as Michael Dowell at defensive back, as Walker opted out and Dowell entered the NCAA transfer portal in late November.