Pitt football opponents determined
The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Friday home and away opponents for Pitt’s inaugural ACC schedule.
The Panthers’ eight-game ACC schedule will include home games against Florida State, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina and Virginia. Pitt’s conference road games will be at Duke, Georgia Tech, Syracuse and Virginia Tech.
Dates and times are expected to be announced by the ACC in early February.
The Panthers will annually face each of their six Coastal Division opponents: Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Pitt will play Atlantic Division crossover rival Syracuse every year in addition to an annually rotating crossover opponent. In 2013, that opponeent will be Florida State.
Pitt will host two teams that finished in the Top 10 this season. Florida State ranked as high as No. 8 nationally following a 12-2 season and Orange Bowl victory. Notre Dame, which will visit Pitt Nov. 9, finished No. 3 in the final polls after going 12-1 and playing in the BCS National Championship Game.
In addition to the Fighting Irish, the Panthers’ 2013 non-conference schedule includes home games against Villanova (Aug. 31) and New Mexico (Sept. 14). Pitt’s other non-conference game is at Navy (Oct. 26).