NCAA Conference Realignment: Pederson Says ACC In 2012 Won't Happen

Read More: 2012 conference realignment, Pittsburgh Panthers

University of Pittsburgh AD Steve Pederson tells Jerry Dipaola of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the University is not considering paying more than the $5 million exit fee to play in the ACC in 2012.

With this, fans should fully expect that the Panthers will be in the Big East for the 2012 football season.

If they aren't bluffing, Pederson and his staff have plenty of work to do. With West Virginia now off the schedule, Pitt is left with an empty home date in what is already a pretty weak home schedule featuring Youngstown State, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Louisville and another FCS team to be determined.

One of Pitt's options would be to play a Big East team twice and face off in a game that wouldn't count toward the Big East standings. They will likely try to stay away from this scenario, as a home-and-home series could bring some embarrassing attention to the program.

Pederson says the team was actively looking for a team to come to Heinz Field for a non-conference game, although their options at this point are pretty slim.

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