A nationally televised Labor Day matchup between defending ACC champion Florida State and league newcomer Pittsburgh will kick off what is the largest -- and arguably the most difficult -- schedule in ACC history.

The ACC schedule, which was released on Monday, includes Pittsburgh and Syracuse, which will both officially join the league on July 1, but the national spotlight will focus on the league's heavyweight nonconference lineup.

ACC teams will play nine games against nonconference teams that finished 2012 ranked in the final Associated Press top 10. No other BCS conference will play more than four nonconference games against 2012 top 10 opponents.

Virginia Tech will face defending national champion Alabama, Virginia will play No. 2 Oregon, both Georgia Tech and Clemson will face No. 3 Georgia, Pitt will play No. 4 Notre Dame and both Clemson and North Carolina will play No. 7 South Carolina.

Both Miami and FSU will also face No. 9 Florida.

Nine games are also against teams included by ESPN in its early top 10 for the 2013 season.

"The 2013 ACC football schedule showcases some tremendous matchups this year as our league is arguably playing the toughest nonconference schedule in the country," ACC commissioner John Swofford said in a prepared statement. "This is an exciting year as we look forward to welcoming Pitt and Syracuse into the ACC."