West Virginia Cancels Florida State Game: 10 Teams Seminoles Could Play Instead

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By now, I'm sure you know that the Florida State Seminoles football team has been left high and dry by the West Virginia Mountaineers. They had a game scheduled for early next year, and it has been canceled, as West Virginia is trying to make their way into the Big 12 before the next season starts.

This, of course, means that the Seminoles will have to find another non-conference opponent to try and replace the spot of West Virginia. It's not going to be an easy task and, of course, the Seminoles would like it to be a competitive team since they start the year with Murray State.

Here are 10 teams that may be willing to replace the Mountaineers and take on the Seminoles next season.

Rutgers

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Since West Virginia backed out, why not go for the next available Big East team? These schools have never played each other, and it would be interesting, as Rutgers is a team that's improving over the years.

Sure, they have a new head coach and the players may not be as talented, but the Seminoles could, of course, schedule a much worse opponent.

Syracuse

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Here's another team the Seminoles could schedule, but it's one of those games that would really disappoint. Going from West Virginia to Syracuse is like driving a Lamborghini but having to settle for a Honda. 

Hopefully the Seminoles are able to find a better opponent. Although, with just seven months before the season, they may have to settle for whichever team they can get.

Cincinnati

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With very few Big East teams left in the conference, Cincinnati is probably the only team competitive enough to make things interesting. And even that's a stretch.

The Bearcats have several games still open on their schedule, and a game against the Seminoles would be a great test for this program going forward. Especially since they've won double-digit games four of the last five years.

Pittsburgh

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Pittsburgh is another team that the Seminoles could schedule, and these teams haven't met since 1983. Florida State has lost the last five of the last six games against the Panthers, but, of course, these two teams are completely different right now. The talent levels on both teams would likely make this game very one-sided.

Connecticut

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The Huskies have a lot of holes remaining on next year's schedule and could become one of the unfortunate teams that have to play Florida State. Connecticut would probably have a better chance on the football field if they put their basketball team out there instead.

This would more likely be a last resort than anything else for the Seminoles.

Louisville

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This game would feature a great defensive team in Florida State against a great defensive coach in Louisville's Charlie Strong. I'm not so sure the Cardinals will be that much of a threat to the Seminoles, although they did end up winning the most recent meeting back in 2002.

Florida State did win the 10 games before that one loss, though.

Oklahoma State

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Oklahoma State won't be the same team they were a season ago, but they'd at least be a respectable program for the Seminoles to play. The last time these two teams played was in 1985, and three of the four previous matchups were diced by less than two touchdowns.

Things could get interesting in this potential matchup.

Boise State

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I know the Broncos aren't going to be the same team they were a season ago, but this is their chance to at least help their strength of schedule. Boise State does have a tough game against Michigan State in Week 1, but after that the schedule is full of cupcakes.

A game against Florida State would really benefit the young team that Chris Petersen will have next year.

Texas A&M

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Now this would be a game worth watching, as Texas A&M is talented on both sides of the ball to match Florida State. The Aggies are also heading to the SEC, and this would be a huge early test for head coach Kevin Sumlin and company.

These teams have only met four times, and the Seminoles are undefeated against the Aggies. Regardless, this would be a great game and a gut-check game for both teams.

Oklahoma

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West Virginia would have provided the Seminoles with a stiff challenge and would have been a great game for college football fans everywhere. Probably the biggest team Florida State could replace the Mountaineers with is the Oklahoma Sooners. 

This would be a fantastic matchup and a game I'm sure Florida State fans would want. The Seminoles have a 1-6 record against the Sooners, but with a team as loaded as Florida State is, they could likely end that six-game losing streak.

Randy Chambers is a B/R featured columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].