Florida State Football: The Ins and Outs, Highs and Lows of the 2012 Schedule

Last season it seemed like everyone swore up and down that the Florida State Seminoles were "back." They did show positive signs, but due to inconsistent play and injuries they finished the season with a 9-4 record.

This year they return nine starters on both sides of the ball and have one of the more talented teams in the country. The Seminoles should be considered the favorite to win the ACC and should have an outside shot at winning the national championship. But before we crown them for something they haven't yet accomplished, we must look at the schedule they have to play.

As we get closer to kicking off the regular season, here is your 2012 Florida State Seminoles complete schedule breakdown.

Easiest Game

The first game of the season is usually a cupcake team, and it doesn't get much easier than playing the Murray State Racers. I know their basketball team isn't too shabby, but I highly doubt any team in the OVC will be able to hang with the Seminoles backups, let alone starters for 60 minutes.

Chalk this one up to Florida State.

Toughest Game

We'll talk about this game a little bit later on, but taking on a Clemson Tigers team that returns seven starters on both sides of the ball isn't an easy task. This is an offense that averaged nearly 34 points per game last season and is returning the nucleus that made it work.

Florida State has lost five of the last seven meetings against the Tigers, and this game won't make changing that trend easy.

Potential Blowout

Much like the game against Murray State, the second game of the season is against the Savannah State Tigers. I really don't need to explain much about this game, other than the fact you're going to see a lot of Seminoles backups participating. 

Potential for Disaster

The Seminoles have had great success over the Hokies, winning 13 of the last 15 matchups. But as we all know, Virginia Tech always has a great team out there on the field and this year will be no different. Sure, they only return three starters on offense; they still have a talented quarterback in Logan Thomas, who's capable of making plays and taking over a game.

They also return nine starters on defense, a unit that was ranked second in the ACC and 10th in the country. This game will also be played in Blacksburg, one of the most difficult places to play for any team. With this game scheduled at the end of the season, a loss here could really destroy the Seminoles chances of reaching a BCS bowl.

Most Intriguing Matchup

This is always one of the more intriguing matchups on the schedule for both teams and this year is no different. Miami has several questions to answer on offense, but they do return a deep defense that includes seven starters. The Hurricanes also have the home crowd in their favor as well.

It doesn't matter what these teams look like going into the matchup, because 11 of the last 13 meetings have been decided by single-digits. It doesn't get much better than that. You can expect both of teams to be ready when this great rivalry kicks off.

Trap Game

The Demon Deacons shouldn't surprise Florida State this season, considering they were upset by them last year, but they're in the perfect position to create a trap game once again. This game takes place right before the big matchup against the Clemson Tigers. Some teams are often caught looking ahead and that can't be the Seminoles in this position. 

Wake Forest only returns three starters on offense and seven starters on defense. There are a lot of holes that team has to fix, and Florida State obviously has a lot more talent than they do and the home-field advantage.

But who would have thought the Seminoles would have lost this game last season?

Rivalry Game Prediction

The last five meetings between these two teams have been blowouts, three in Florida's favor and the last two going to the Seminoles. I think this game should be closer, but I think Florida State will extend the winning streak to three games.

For one, the game will be played in Doak Campbell Stadium, where the Seminoles are 8-3-1 in the last 12 meetings in their stadium. Also, Florida State seems to be more complete as a team right now than Florida. Sure, they both return a majority of last year's squad, but the Gators showed no true signs of life last season and often looked lost.

The Gators are still searching for a quarterback, the Seminoles defense is one of the best in the country and Florida State is at home. Until things change, give me the Seminoles.

Florida State wins: 28-17

Upset Special

I have no idea what happened to South Florida at the end of last year, but I do know they have a talented team and return eight starters on both sides of the ball. Quarterback B.J. Daniels is an underrated playmaker and we've seen him lead his team to victory many times before. 

South Florida also has a solid front-seven that finished the year with 38 sacks on the season. With this game taking place in Raymond James Stadium, it's a game that the Seminoles can't take lightly. We should all know what the Bulls are capable of as they've upset several ranked teams in the past, including Notre Dame last season in South Bend.

Heisman Highlight Game

E.J. Manuel will only be considered for the Heisman if he can stay healthy. But assuming he does play every game and avoids many hits from a brutal offensive line, he'll have a shot. The game that could really be put in the conversation is the matchup against the Clemson Tigers.

That game will likely be on prime time television and will require a great performance from the Seminoles quarterback to pull off the win. In last season's matchup, Manuel missed it with an injury, but knocking off a top-15 team with a great performance should turn some heads.

It's time the senior steps up to the plate and takes his game to the next level.

Must-Win Game

Speaking about the Heisman and the Clemson Tigers, this is the must-win game for the Seminoles. This team doesn't have a difficult schedule at all and have the talent to win many games and possibly even run the table. Looking at the first several games in the schedule, there isn't really a team that sticks out other than the Tigers.

If Florida State can produce enough offense and protect their quarterback, the Seminoles will be in great shape and should move up a few spots in the rankings with a victory here. Things are set up perfectly for Florida State to reach a BCS bowl, and it all starts with a win against Dabo Swinney and company.