Pittsburgh is one of two and a half teams added to the Atlantic Coast Conference in football, with Syracuse and sometimes Notre Dame being the others.

It’s strange to see Pittsburgh players, coaches and media walking the halls at the Grandover Hotel in Greensboro during the 2013 ACC Football Kickoff event.

But it’s a new era in ACC football. And here’s a bit about the Panthers.

Pittsburgh finished fifth in the Big East last year with a 3-4 conference mark and a 6-7 overall mark. The Panthers lose 23 lettermen including nine starters from that squad. The offense is hardest hit with a star QB, tailback, wide receiver, center and tackle gone.

There are eight starters back from a defense that was 17th nationally in total defense. Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who was a first team All-Big East pick a year ago, returns for his senior season. Donald, a preseason third-team All-America player, recorded 18.5 tackles for losses in 2012. Free safety Jason Hendricks, who was a second team All-Big East pick last year, returns for his senior season.

On offense, Devin Street, a second team All-Big East pick last year, returns for his senior season. He has more career starts (30) than any Panther. Junior QB Tom Savage takes over for graduated Tino Sunseri, who played the last 39 games as the Panthers’ signal caller. Savage isn’t inexperienced either though as he started for Rutgers in 2009.

Pitt plays at Duke on Sept. 21 in a game that may ultimately determine who stays out of the division basement. The Panthers, who beat the Tar Heels at home in 2001, host North Carolina on Nov. 16.

Check back for more on Pittsburgh.