By Jerry DiPaola

Published: Tuesday, November 27, 2012, 5:02 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Pinstripe Bowl executive director Mark Holtzman said renewing the Backyard Brawl between Pitt and West Virginia at Yankee Stadium “can be very compelling” for his game.

But everyone must wait for the end of this weekend's games to see if it could be a one-year “Big Apple Brawl.''

The Panthers must first win at South Florida to move to 6-6 and become bowl-eligible. WVU is already bowl eligible and plays host to Kansas on Saturday.

“The question is would it be as compelling for the fans as a Backyard Brawl in Heinz Field,” he said. “You sell out for that and then some. The good thing is it's a drive and Pitt fans are used to driving to New York for basketball.

“I can tell you clearly if Pitt wins the final game and finishes at .500, they would be given strong consideration.”

Holtzman said his bowl, which will be played Dec. 29, is committed to taking the sixth-place team from the Big 12 and the Big East's fourth-place finisher.

Those commitments can be altered, but bowls only can pick down. West Virginia is tied for seventh and Pitt tied for fifth in their respective conferences.

— Jerry DiPaola

1. Pitt wins Big East Tournament opener, faces Notre Dame on Thursday
2. Pitt baseball team has a lot at stake
3. Pitt basketball team to play in Legends Classic
4. ACC-bound Pitt finds itself without natural football rivals
5. ACC: Men’s basketball tournament still could be played at MSG

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