Is a bowl game in Pitt's future at the end of a disappointing 2020 season?

The first 12 weeks of the college football season have been marked by regular covid testing, postponed and canceled games and — as Pat Narduzzi articulated Monday — concerns about getting hit “square in the mouth” by a worsening pandemic.

Undaunted, Narduzzi isn’t prepared to let the season end in Atlanta on Thursday night when Pitt is expected to meet Georgia Tech in the final regularly scheduled game.

He wants to play in a bowl game, and he expects the university to accept if invited.

“I assume so. That’s my intentions,” he said.

Failure to secure an invitation would mean staying home for the second time in four years after reaching a bowl in the previous nine consecutive seasons.

But getting it might not be as easy as in the past.

The good news is there are no restrictions this year on teams that don’t win six games. That works in Pitt’s favor in the event the Panthers lose to Georgia Tech and fall to 5-6.

But 10 bowl games have been canceled amidst pandemic concerns, including five with ACC tie-ins (Fenway, Pinstripe, Holiday, Quick Lane and Sun).

With fewer available slots, Pitt’s players might have to present a 6-5 record to bowl organizers if they want their season to continue.

“We really haven’t thought much ahead because we’re focused on No. 11 (Georgia Tech),” Narduzzi said. “After No. 11, did we earn No. 12?”

He admitted “our kids and kids across the country are itching to have a little family time. I know that. Especially around the holidays.

“Bowl season is never easy on the kids, ever. It will be even harder (this year).”

The reality is the NFL looms for several present and former Pitt players, including Jaylen Twyman and Paris Ford, who already have opted out. Twyman missed the entire season, Ford the past three games.

Covid concerns postponed the Georgia Tech game from Nov. 14 to Thursday. Pitt’s season was supposed to end Nov. 28 at Clemson, where the Panthers suffered a discouraging 52-17 loss to the five-time defending ACC champion.

Narduzzi was asked if some Pitt seniors, hoping to attract the NFL’s attention, might have made previous training plans that conflict with the rescheduled game.

He didn’t confirm or deny the possibility.

“You know, we’ll find out Thursday night,” he said. “We’ll find out who’s on the field Thursday night, period, whether it’s covid-related, banged-up. Every day, it’s a new day.”

Narduzzi admitted this season has been the most difficult of his coaching career.

“There’s no doubt about it,” he said. “It’s not even close. Everything from June 8 (when the players returned from quarantine).”

He repeatedly has praised his players for their diligence in avoiding positive covid results most of the season. Asked about recent test results, he declined to offer details, but he did say, “Right now, we’re pretty good. I can’t tell you what happens (after) we get off this Zoom.”

The bottom line is Narduzzi dislikes not knowing at the beginning of the week who’s able to play at the end.

“It’s literally one day at a time,” he said. “If you go through a good day, you (say), ‘Man, we got through a good day.’ You know tomorrow there’s going to be something that hits you square in the mouth.

“Yeah, it’s been that type of year, for sure. 2020. How many more days left in this year?”

NOTE: Pitt defensive ends Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver (Bednarik), kicker Alex Kessman (Groza) and punter Kirk Christodoulou (Ray Guy) were named semifinalists for three major awards.

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