Lockheed Martin Armed Services Bowl: Houston Cougars (7-5) vs. Pitt Panthers (6-6)

Jan. 2, 2015, noon, Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas (ESPN)

Key matchup: James Conner vs. Houston rush defense

Why it matters: Amid all the uncertainty about who will come in and become Pitt's head coach, there is one thing the Panthers will be able to count on: big, bad James Conner busting through with some big runs. There is a reason Conner won ACC Player of the Year honors on an average team. The man was virtually unstoppable on the ground, ranking No. 5 in the nation with 1,675 yards; No. 3 in rushing touchdowns (24), No. 5 in rushing yards per game (139.6 avg.) and No. 5 in scoring (12.0 ppg). Oh, and he also averages 6 yards a carry. Though Houston had a disappointing season -- the biggest reason the Cougars also are searching for a new head coach -- the defense was one of the bright spots. The Cougars rank No. 19 in the nation in total defense, and have allowed an average of 136 yards on the ground this season, ranking No. 31 in the country. Houston also excels at creating turnovers with 30 this season, including 11 fumbles. Conner has been fumble-prone this season, so this is definitely something to keep an eye on.

Who wins: Both teams have interim coaches, a position Pitt has been in several times during bowl season. This time around, offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph will be calling the shots, and you can bet he will rely heavily on the two best players on the field -- Conner and receiver Tyler Boyd, who came on strong at the end of the season. Boyd posted 100-yard receiving games in four of the season's final five games for a second consecutive 1,000-yard season. And let's not forget what this duo did in the bowl game last year against Bowling Green: Conner had 229 yards rushing, and Boyd had 173 yards receiving and a punt return for a TD. Houston counters with receiver Deontay Greenberry and running back Kenneth Farrow, but the Conner-Boyd duo will prove difficult to stop. Pitt 30, Houston 24.