Pitt Football: Panthers 2013 opponents released
By Matt Shetler
As Paul Chryst and the Pitt football team prepare for their first season the ACC, many Panthers fans wanted to know exactly what their schedule would look like and which of the prominent ACC programs would be visiting Heinz Field in 2013.
Jan. 5, 2013; Birmingham, AL, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Rushel Shell (4) is tripped up by Mississippi Rebels defensive back Dehendret Collins (1) during the first quarter of the BBVA Compass Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Kelly Lambert-USA TODAY Sports
Friday afternoon, Pitt fans got their answer as the 2013 schedule was released.
The home schedule looks nice as it features seven games that include: Villanova (8-31), New Mexico (9-14), Notre Dame (11-9), Florida State (TBD), Miami (TBD), North Carolina (TBD) and Virginia (TBD).
Pitt will play only five road games, which include: Navy (10-26), Duke (TBD), Georgia Tech (TBD), Syracuse (TBD) and Virginia Tech (TBD).
The ACC will release dates on conference games sometime in February, but there are a few things worth noting.
Pitt will play in the ACC’s Coastal Division and will have an annual crossover opponent from the Atlantic Division which will be Syracuse.
Each ACC team will play eight conference games: six games within its division (three home, three away) and two games (one home, one away) with crossover opponents from the opposite division.
Next season, all Atlantic Division members will host their primary crossover opponent, while Coastal Division members will host a rotating crossover opponent. Each school’s primary crossover opponent does not change, while its rotating crossover opponent will change each season. So that means Pitt and Syracuse will continue to play every season.