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FSU Searching for Opponent

By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com 
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According to the Sentinel, the Seminoles have reached out to more than 50 schools, including 31 FBS programs.

With West Virginia wiped off its 2012 schedule, Florida State is left attempting to fill a void.

The Seminoles had the Mountaineers scheduled for a Sept. 8 showdown at Doak Campbell Stadium, a match up that likely could have played in prime time. The Orlando Sentinel reported that West Virginia formally backed out of this year's meeting on Feb. 3 due to its eventual move to the Big 12 Conference.

FSU kicks off the new season on Sept. 1 against FCS school Murray State. According to the Sentinel, the Seminoles have reached out to more than 50 schools, including 31 FBS programs.

West Virginia announced Tuesday it had settled a lawsuit with the Big East Conference that allows them to join the Big 12 at the end of June. WVU accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 on Oct. 28, 2011.

"This closes a chapter and opens a new one filled with exciting possibilities for WVU's future," said athletic director Oliver Luck in a news release. "I've heard from Mountaineer fans across the country who have made it very clear that they are proud and honored to be heading into the Big 12."

Luck said West Virginia should get about $18 million to $19 million in television payouts a year. Its new league schedule no longer includes longstanding rivals Pitt or Syracuse and it's unknown if they will play in the future with the nine-game conference schedule. The "Backyard Brawl" is considered the 14th oldest football rivalry in the United States and dates back to 1895. The Orange and the Mountaineers have met since 1955.

West Virginia's first Big 12 game is on Sept. 29 against Baylor. WVU enters the new season following a 10-3 mark and an Orange Bowl victory over Clemson.

Below is WVU's 2012 conference schedule:

Sept. 29 - Baylor
Oct. 6 - @ Texas
Oct. 13 - @ Texas Tech
Oct. 20 - Kansas State

Nov. 3 - TCU
Nov. 10 - @ Oklahoma State
Nov. 17 - Oklahoma
Nov. 24 - @ Iowa State
Dec. 1 - Kansas
 

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Carlos Pineda - Carlos recently graduated from the University of Central Florida in Orlando and spent the fall as the UCF football beat writer for the Florida Today during the 2010 season. Fully motivated, Pineda covered many of the UCF athletic teams, including basketball and baseball, and eventually became Editor-in-Chief of the Central Florida Future. He has been published in the Orlando Sentinel, and interned at the Orlando Business Journal. He also helped cover the Orlando Magic for Orlando Magic Daily as a credentialed member of the media during the 2010-11 season. Pineda is from Pembroke Pines, FL and covers Miami, Florida and Florida State for Southern Pigskin. You can follow him on twitter: @carlosfpineda10

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