Pitt plays at Cincinnati looking to strengthen its postseason resume. The Panthers are bowl eligible with six victories. A win over the Bearcats keeps Pitt in contention for a higher-tier Big East bowl and also keeps the Panthers’ BCS bowl hopes alive.

The winner of the Pitt-Cincinnati game earns the “River City Rivalry Trophy,” presented annually since the series resumed in 2005.

The Panthers are looking to snap a two-game losing skid against the Bearcats. Last year’s meeting was considered an instant classic — albeit a disappointing final result for Pitt — as Cincinnati won in a thriller, 45-44, at Heinz Field.

The Panthers are 26-12 over their last 38 games, the program’s winningest stretch since the 2001-04 seasons.

SERIES HISTORY

The winner of the Pitt-Cincinnati game earns the “River City Rivalry” Trophy. The trophy was introduced to the series in 2005 when the Bearcats joined the Big East Conference. The Panthers hold a 7-2 lead in the all-time series but have lost the past two encounters, 45-44 in 2009 and 28-21 in 2008. In Big East play, Pitt is 3-2 against the Bearcats. Pitt’s last victory over Cincinnati was in 2007, when it claimed a 24-17 decision at Heinz Field over the No. 23 Bearcats. The Panthers have played three times in Nippert Stadium and are 2-1 in those contests, the lone loss coming in ’08. Pitt’s last victory in Nippert was in 2006 (33-15).. The ’06 game marked the Panthers’ first visit to Cincinnati in 84 years. The series’ inaugural game was played in 1921 in Pittsburgh, a 21-14 Pitt victory.