From Mirror reports

PITTSBURGH — Defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Pitt will play a football schedule this fall that features eight bowl teams and a primetime national spotlight for the revival of the “Backyard Brawl.”

The schedule was revealed Monday night on the ACC Network during a two-hour show.

The Panthers’ 12-game slate includes seven home games, including a highly-anticipated season opener against West Virginia at Heinz Field. The Panthers and Mountaineers will open the first full week of the college football season on Thursday, Sept. 1, before a national television audience on ESPN.

Additional home season highlights include:

n Pitt will host a Southeastern Conference opponent for the first time when Tennessee visits on Saturday, Sept. 10.

n The Panthers’ road back to the ACC Championship Game includes three crucial Coastal Division matchups at Heinz Field: Georgia Tech (Oct. 1), Virginia Tech (Oct. 8) and Duke (Nov. 19).

n For the 68th consecutive season, Pitt will play traditional eastern foe Syracuse. The Panthers host the Orange on Nov. 5.

n Rhode Island (Sept. 24) rounds out Pitt’s home opponents. The Panthers and Rams meet for the first time as head coach Pat Narduzzi faces his alma mater.

Pitt plays its road opener at Western Michigan on Sept. 17, closing out a two-game scheduling agreement.

In October, the Panthers make consecutive ACC road trips to Louisville (Oct. 22) and North Carolina (Oct. 29).

Two November road games — at Virginia (Nov. 12) and Miami (Nov. 26) — figure prominently in the race for the Coastal title.

With the return of 18 starters, Pitt is already garnering mention in early Top 25 listings, including The Athletic (No. 11), Athlon (No. 19), Pro Football Network (No. 19), Sporting News (No. 24) and Yahoo Sports (No. 24).

The Panthers conclude spring drills with the annual Blue-Gold Spring Game at Heinz Field on Saturday, April 9.