It’s only an NFL exhibition game tonight in Charlotte, N.C., but it’s an intriguing matchup for those who’ll also be interested in Saturday’s Memphis-Ole Miss football game.

The Carolina Panthers play host to the Pittsburgh Steelers in a rather meaningless NFL tuneup, but the Mid-South football connections will offer some intrigue.

Pittsburgh is in its first season with former Tiger graduate assistant Mike Tomlin as head coach. Former Tiger linebacker Keith Butler is a defensive assistant and former Tiger offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner is in his first season as the Steelers’ receivers coach.

It was Fichtner who was credited with recruiting DeAngelo Williams to the U of M. Williams, who holds practically every Tiger rushing record and remains one of the top rushing backs in NCAA history, is in his second season with the Panthers.

Ole Miss has several players on the Panther roster, including cornerback Ken Lucas and receiver Taye Biddle, who has had a strong preseason and is expected to make the Carolina 53-man squad.

Unfortunately for Mid-South football fans, the game will not be available in this market. The NFL Network is showing Buffalo at Detroit and San Francisco at San Diego. ESPN and ESPN2 are, understandably, covering the opening night of college football.