Pitt accepts Meineke Bowl bid

Pittsburgh has accepted a bid toplay in the Meineke Car Care Bowl at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 26 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

The Panthers (9-3) will meet an ACC team to be announced later this afternoon. This will be Pittsburgh's second appearance in the bowl.

"We feel this Pittsburgh team will make the Meineke Car Care Bowl a very exciting and competitive game," bowl executive director Will Webb said in a statement.

Pittsburgh, which was 5-2 in the Big East, won nine of its first 10 games. Its three losses came by a total of 11 points.

The team visited North Carolina earlier in the season, losing 38-31 at N.C. State.

"Playing a national ESPN television game against a quality ACC opponent is a great opportunity and we are looking forward to the challenge," Pittsburgh coach Dave Wannstedt said in a statement.

Ken Tysiac