PITT, WVU announce 2010 Football Schedules

The Pittsburgh Panthers announced their 2010 football schedule today. Pitt's 2010 schedule is highlighted by:

*Seven teams that advanced to bowl games in 2009.

*Six dates already scheduled for national television.

*The return of the "Backyard Brawl" to Heinz Field. Pitt hosts rival West Virginia (Nov. 26) for the 103rd renewal of one of college football's most colorful series.

*A season opener between likely Top 25 teams when Pitt plays at Utah (Sept. 2). The Panthers will face a Utes team that has won nine consecutive bowl games.

*An anticipated ESPN Thursday night clash with Miami (Sept. 23) at Heinz Field. The Panthers and Hurricanes meet for the first time in seven seasons. Pitt will also play a Thursday ESPN game at Connecticut (Nov. 11), which routed SEC foe South Carolina, 20-7, in last year's PapaJohns.com Bowl.

*A visit to South Bend for the continuation of Pitt's historic rivalry with Notre Dame (Oct. 9). The Panthers will be seeking a third consecutive victory over the Irish.

Key Big East encounters against teams that won bowl games in 2009, including a home date with Rutgers (Oct. 23) and road contest at USF (Nov. 20). The Scarlet Knights have won four consecutive bowls, while the Bulls have won back-to-back postseason games.

The regular-season finale at Cincinnati (Dec. 4), a game that, for the third consecutive year, could have Big East title and BCS bowl implications. Last year's game has been described as the most exciting contest of the 2009 college football season.

Sept. 2 (Thurs.) at Utah (CBS CSN) TBA

Sept. 11 New Hampshire 1 p.m.

Sept. 23 (Thurs.) Miami (Fla.) (ESPN) 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 Florida International TBA

Oct. 9 at Notre Dame (NBC) 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 at Syracuse* TBA

Oct. 23 Rutgers* TBA

Oct. 30 Louisville* TBA

Nov. 11 (Thurs.) at Connecticut* (ESPN) 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 20 at USF* TBA

Nov. 26 (Fri.) West Virginia* (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2) TBA

Dec. 4 at Cincinnati* (ABC, ESPN, ESPN2) TBA

The West Virginia Mountaineers also announced their 2010 football schedule today. The Mountaineers open the 2010 schedule on Saturday, Sept. 4, at home against Coastal Carolina. The Mountaineers are slated to have four nationally televised games.

Sat Sept. 4 COASTAL CAROLINA

Sat Sept. 11 at Marshall

Sat Sept. 18 MARYLAND

Sat Sept. 25 at LSU

Sat. Oct. 9 UNLV

Thu Oct. 14 USF [ESPN]

Sat Oct. 23 SYRACUSE (Homecoming)

Fri Oct. 29 at Connecticut [ESPN2]

Sat Nov 13 CINCINNATI (Mountaineer Day)

Sat Nov 20 at Louisville

Fri Nov 26 at Pitt [ESPN/ESPN2/ABC]

Sat Dec 4 RUTGERS [ESPN/ESPN2/ABC]