FORT WORTH, Texas — Houston will make its fourth appearance in the Armed Forces Bowl when the Cougars take on Pittsburgh.

The Cougars (7-5) will represent the American Athletic Conference when the game is played in January for the first time. The 12th Armed Forces Bowl is Jan. 2 on the TCU campus.

Pittsburgh (6-6) is in a bowl for the seventh season in a row, and 31st in school history.

The Panthers of the ACC replace Army, which had a conditional invitation if bowl eligible. The Black Knights are 4-7 before playing Navy on Saturday.

Air Force is the only other team to play in the Armed Forces Bowl four times, twice against Houston. The Cougars won the first of those matchups in 2008, before a loss in 2009 in its last appearance.