2012 Big 12 Football Schedule: What West Virginia's Cancelling of FSU Game Means

Now that the college football season is over and recruiting has slowed down quite a bit, it's time for the nonsense. You know what I'm talking about—when college football is experiencing an offseason, this is usually when the scandals, conference realignment and other foolishness like to pick up.

The first act of craziness took place this weekend when West Virginia backed out of a game it was supposed to play next year against Florida State. It would have likely been a great game due to both teams returning a lot of talent and bringing in solid recruiting classes.

However, I'm sure the Mountaineers didn't cancel the game because they're afraid of the Seminoles. This has the bigger picture written all over it. 

What does it mean?

It means we won't get to see Geno Smith and that talented offense go up against one of the best defenses in the country on paper. I mean, seriously, that would have been a fantastic matchup that every college football fan would have looked forward to.

It also means West Virginia is likely one step closer to getting out of the Big East and calling the Big 12 its new home. The Mountaineers have been trying to leave that conference for the last several months and hope to be a part of the Big 12 as early as next year. This is a hint that they may be closer to making it happen.

Once the school becomes a member of the Big 12, it would have a nine-game conference schedule. This of course means they would have to throw away one of their non-conference games, which in this case is Florida State.

What happens next?

It's really hard to believe the Mountaineers would drop arguably their biggest opponent of the year if they weren't confident they'll be members of the Big 12 next season. I think that it's only a matter of time before it's announced that the Big East has lost yet another one of its top programs. Even Rutgers is preparing for the Mountaineers to leave as it schedules another non-conference game for next season. 

On the legal side of things, the Seminoles are likely to sue West Virginia. The Mountaineers have already had to put up a ridiculous $500,000 buyout fee, but Florida State will likely look for a lot more than that.

“We have the buyout, there’s that, and then there will be whatever liquidated damages,” Florida State athletic director Randy Spetman said. “If we aren’t able to find another team, that’s what we’re going to have to look at.

“You’re talking about a lot of money.”

Florida State is also stuck looking for another opponent to try and fill the void the Mountaineers have left just seven months before the season starts. Hopefully it's able to find a team that would provide an interesting matchup the way West Virginia would have.

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