Over the past several seasons, Pittsburgh has challenged itself with one of the most demanding nonconference schedules in the Big East.
Since 2009, the Panthers have faced Notre Dame three times, Utah twice and Miami (Fla.), NC State and Iowa once apiece. With matchups against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame in the upcoming season, Pitt again figures to have one of the most daunting schedules in the league.
Must-see matchup: Nov. 3 at Notre Dame
Pitt will look to exact a measure of revenge for last season's 15-12 loss to the Irish. The Panthers mostly held the Notre Dame offense in check until Irish QB Tommy Rees went 8-of-8 on a game winning drive midway through the fourth quarter.
The defense will look to contain Mackey Award nominee Tyler Eifert. The Irish tight end finished with eight catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in last year's meeting. On the other side of the ball, Pitt will look for a better performance from Ray Graham. Last season, Graham had just 89 yards on 21 carries against Notre Dame.
Upset alert: Oct. 27 vs. Temple
The matchup will feature arguably the two top backfields in the conference. Pitt freshman sensation Rushel Shell will join Graham in the backfield, while Temple counters with senior Matt Brown and Montel Harris, a transfer from Boston College. If Pitt upsets Louisville two weeks earlier and has a hot early start, the Panthers could be overconfident against the Owls. The in-state meeting also comes a week before Pitt's trip to South Bend.
It's a breeze (easiest stretch): Oct. 5 through Oct. 27 – Gardner Webb, Louisville, at Buffalo, Temple
When Louisville faces Pitt on Oct. 13, the Cardinals might be the explosive college team to enter Heinz Field all season. The three other games during the stretch should all be victories for coach Paul Chryst's team. They must win them all before entering a closing stretch that includes Notre Dame, Rutgers and South Florida in the final weeks of the regular season.
Brutal stretch: Sept. 6 through Oct. 13 – at Cincinnati, vs. Va. Tech, vs. Gardner Webb, at Syracuse, vs. Louisville
While the final weeks of Pitt's regular season appears difficult, the start to the season may be even tougher. The Bearcats' spread offense could present problems for a Pitt front-seven that returns only one starter.
The Panthers will then have eight days to prepare for a Hokies' defense that could be one of the best in the nation. Virginia Tech returns eight starters from a defense that finished seventh in FBS in 2011 in points allowed. There could be few open gaps against the Hokies for Graham.
The stretch ends with a meeting against Louisville, the conference preseason favorites. Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater may be a potential conference player of the year, but the sophomore only threw for 165 yards against Pitt last year.
Complete Schedule
Sept. 1 Youngstown State
Sept. 6 at Cincinnati
Sept. 15 Virginia Tech
Sept. 22 Gardner Webb
Oct. 5 at Syracuse
Oct. 13 Louisville
Oct. 20 at Buffalo
Oct. 27 Temple
Nov. 3 at Notre Dame
Nov. 9 at Connecticut
Nov. 24 Rutgers
Dec. 1 at South Florida
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