The powers that be -- in this case, most likely ESPN -- have spoken and Pitt and Florida State will open their 2013 football seasons in a nationally televised game on Labor Day (Sept. 2) night at Heinz Field. The game will be the Atlantic Coast Conference inaugural for the Panthers, who leave the Big East after the current school year.

The game, rumored for weeks, is expected to be made official in an announcement from the ACC and the involved teams tomorrow.

The switch in schedule will involve Pitt dropping Villanova and Florida State dropping Wofford.

This is a risky move for Pitt, although coach Paul Chryst has stated he is in favor of the game against the Seminoles, who figure to be the ACC favorite.

The upside is starting the college football season with a bang and creating a buzz around the Pitt program, which has been pretty much buzzless for several years. The downside is starting the season with a probable loss.

One published scenario for the completion of the Pitt schedule has the Panthers dropping Villanova and picking up Stony Brook.  Villanova, in turn, would go on the Boston College schedule. Stony Brook would come off the BC sked and play Pitt on Oct. 19 -- which currently is open on the schedule of both schools.