Home was a friendly place for the Pitt football team last season, as it won five of its six… Home was a friendly place for the Pitt football team last season, as it won five of its six games at Heinz Field in 2005. If that trend continues, the Panthers should look at their recently released 2006 schedule as one step toward correcting last season’s disappointment.

Dave Wannstedt’s bunch will play seven home games in 2006, the athletic department announced yesterday, as Pitt plays its first 12-game regular season since going 8-5 in 2003.

“From the season opener to the final game, we will play a very competitive and entertaining schedule this year,” Wannstedt said. “We will be facing teams in and out of conference that are perennial winners and annual bowl participants. The race for the Big East title and BCS bid will be as competitive as ever and it definitely gives our players something to prepare for during their off-season workouts.”

Pitt will open the 2006 slate with a Sept. 2 contest with ACC member Virginia. The Panthers will then take to the road for the second installment of the River City Rivalry with a nationally televised Friday night date with the Bearcats of Cincinnati before returning home for three straight home games against Michigan State, the Citadel – making this the third straight year they will host a I-AA foe – and Toledo.

Wannstedt’s bunch will then be on the road for four of their last seven games, starting with an Oct. 7 road trip to Syracuse to take on the Orange. Their last non-conference game comes on Oct. 14 when the Panthers head down south to take on Central Florida. From there, Pitt will host Rutgers before heading back down to the sunshine state to take on South Florida. A trip to Connecticut follows on Nov. 11.

Pitt will then close the season with two conference home games, the first coming on Nov. 16 when the Backyard Brawl with West Virginia is renewed on ESPN’s Thursday night football. The Panthers’ final regular season game will come on Nov. 25 when Louisville comes to town.