Wow. So this is what it is like to be in a competent conference? Could get used this. I realize that there will be plenty of time to find the warts of the ACC. And I am sure Clemson, FSU and VT fans will spare no effort in explaining them. That said, when you are used to a certain level of incompetency from the Big East, the ACC is like a well-run machine.

I mean, the competence is such a change.

After last year’s scheduling snafu with West Virginia, the Seminoles ended up learning an important lesson. When it came to making the Labor Day opener with Pitt come to fruition, Spetman and his staff requested the ACC and ESPN work specifically with Wofford to make the switch.

Thirteen months ago, FSU was on its own as it had to replace West Virginia for a game scheduled for last September. The Seminoles talked to more than 70 schools before adding Savannah State.

FSU ended up winning the weather-altered, mid-September game 55-0. The game was ended in the middle of the third quarter.

Due to the ACC’s efforts, Spetman said FSU will not have to pay Wofford the $475,000 cancellation fee that was outlined in the original game contract. FSU and Wofford agreed to play one another in July 2011. In a separate fee, the Seminoles were going to pay the Terriers $475,000 for the appearance.

A team with a spread option scheme, Wofford was first put on FSU’s schedule as the Seminoles anticipated seeing cross-divisional foe and fellow option-based team Georgia Tech come back into its rotation. Before the additions of Pitt and Syracuse, the Seminoles and Yellow Jackets were expecting to play in 2013 and 2014. That no longer is the case.

Last December, the Seminoles beat the Yellow Jackets in the ACC championship, 21-15.

Pitt needed help getting Villanova off its Week 1 schedule. After a little manuevering, the Panthers were able to do that, and the Wildcats were able to add a Football Bowl Subdivision team in their place, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported.

That’s right the ACC helped FSU with their issues for the start of the season. What’s more, it seems they helped Pitt as well. The new Villanova road game they play will be up at Boston College — who got out of their game with Stony Brook.

As for Pitt, they still have to play a 1-AA team, but it is actually a dangerous one in Old Dominion.

ODU, which played its first football game 4 1?2 years ago, is moving up to FBS from the Football Championship Subdivision and will be an FCS independent this season before joining Conference USA in 2014. It never has played an FBS opponent, but will play East Carolina, Maryland, Idaho and North Carolina, along with Pitt, this season.

Last season, ODU (11-2) won the Colonial Athletic Association and advanced to the FCS quarterfinals. Heinicke led the nation with 5,546 yards (5,076 passing and 470 rushing).

The ODU game will happen on October 19.

I don’t know if the move of Nova to BC spares Pitt any buyout money, but maybe we can find that out at the 3pm presser today where Coach Paul Chryst and AD Steve Pederson will announce the full schedule for this coming season (which will be livestreamed for free).

The downside to me is purely personal. I won’t be able to attend the season opener with it falling on a Monday night. No way I can drive out for a night game on a Monday. Get back, have the kids start school the next day and get to work.

Otherwise, this is a great way for Pitt to open the 2013 season and their new conference membership.