The ACC announced its full football schedule this afternoon, including Pitt’s inaugural ACC slate. The celebratory event was highlighted by a press conference at Heinz Field with athletic director Steve Pederson, head coach Paul Chryst, and players Devin Street and Aaron Donald. As expected, Pitt will open the season against defending ACC champion Florida State on Labor Day night at Heinz Field. Kickoff will be at 8:00 pm and the game will be nationally televised by ESPN. There’s absolutely no reason why that game should be anything short of a full, raucous sellout.

To make room for that game, Pitt had to cancel its match-up with Villanova and will instead play Old Dominion on October 19. The Panthers will also play the Miami Hurricanes at Heinz Field on November 29 (the Friday after Thanksgiving) making that a nice replacement for the Backyard Brawl. The rest of the schedule, dates now included, is as follows:

Sept. 2 (Mon.)
Florida State* (ESPN)
8 p.m.

Sept. 14
New Mexico

Sept. 21
at Duke*

Sept. 28
Virginia*

Oct. 12
at Virginia Tech*

Oct. 19
Old Dominion

Oct. 26
at Navy (CBS Sports Network)

Nov. 2
at Georgia Tech*

Nov. 9
Notre Dame

Nov. 16
North Carolina*

Nov. 23
at Syracuse*

Nov. 29 (Fri.)
Miami* (ABC, ESPN or ESPN2)

Dec. 7
Dr. Pepper ACC Championship Game

To recap that’s three home games in September, one in October, and three in November. Except for the Florida State and Miami games, all the games are on Saturdays – as college football should be. And those nice fall dates at Duke and Virginia Tech? Those should make for some great road trips.

It couldn’t be more appropriate that today is sunny and (relatively) warm. ACC, here we come.

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