If West Virginia negotiates a settlement with the Big East that allows them to move to the Big 12 in 2012, each Big East team will need to schedule another non-conference game.

Rutgers is slated to host Syracuse in 2012 based on the rotating Big East football schedule. But the two teams are rumored to be in discussions to meet at Yankee Stadium or the Carrier Dome. That game would not count in the Big East standings.

The Scarlet Knights currently have four non-conference games scheduled: at Tulane (Sept. 1), vs. Kent State (Sept. 15), vs. Army (Nov. 10) and vs. Howard (date TBA). Rutgers needs one game if West Virginia stays and two if they depart.

Another possible opponent for Rutgers in 2012 is, as The Star-Ledger reports, the Arkansas Razorbacks. The two schools are said to be in discussions for a home-and-home series at Arkansas in 2012 and at Rutgers in 2013.

Syracuse is in the same situation as Rutgers in that they also need two non-conference games for 2012. Rutgers could fill one of those slots. The Orange open the season at home vs. Northwestern (Sept. 1), face USC at East Rutherford, NJ (Sept. 8), host Stony Brook (Sept. 15) and travel to Minnesota (Sept. 22).

One caveat to this scenario is that FBS teams are not required to play a 12-game schedule. The 12th game is usually scheduled as a home contest to add extra revenue, so Big East teams could conceivably play 11 games if they desired.

Football Schedules:

• 2012 Rutgers Football Schedule
• 2012 Syracuse Football Schedule

The addition of Memphis brings the total number of football-playing schools in the Big East to 12. That number will be accomplished by 2015 after Navy joins, following Boise State, Houston, San Diego State, SMU and UCF in 2013.

A championship game could also be in the future for the Big East. The NCAA allows conferences with 12 members to stage a championship game, and that is the ultimate goal of the Big East.

From the Big East release:

“Over the past decade, the University of Memphis has demonstrated an unwavering commitment of competing at the highest level in college sports,” said BIG EAST Commissioner John Marinatto. “The University has positioned itself for long-term success by upgrading facilities and investing wisely in various areas of the athletic department including coaching and administration. We are confident that the addition of this outstanding athletics program located in a top 50 media market and in the heart of the nation’s largest conference footprint will further propel the BIG EAST and the University of Memphis to even greater levels of success in the future.”

“It is with great pleasure that we officially welcome the University of Memphis to the BIG EAST Conference,” stated Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida President and Chair of the BIG EAST Board of Directors. “Our Board was very impressed with the University, its ongoing commitment to academic and athletic excellence, as well as its strong community support. We are excited about renewing old relationships, starting new ones and look forward to working together with President Raines and her team in the future.”

“This is an historical day for the University of Memphis,” said Dr. Shirley C. Raines, University of Memphis President. “On behalf of the faculty, staff, alumni, fans, students and especially, our student-athletes, we are thrilled to accept the invitation from the BIG EAST Conference to become a member in all sports in 2013. We are grateful to President Judy Genshaft and the entire BIG EAST Conference Board for their unanimous vote for the University of Memphis and Tiger athletics.”

“This is an exciting day for Tiger athletics,” said Memphis Athletics Director R.C. Johnson. “Many years ago we set as a departmental goal the task ofbeing the best that we could be in every athletic endeavor. With today’s invitation to join many of our friends in such a prestigious conference means we have achieved one of our top missions.”

Related Links:

• Memphis Tigers Future Football Schedules
• Big East adds Navy as Football member in 2015
• Big East announces addition of five schools for 2013

The two schools will meet at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on September 15, 2012. It will be their first ever meeting.

Delaware State is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the FCS. They finished the 2011 season 3-8.

Cincinnati now has four non-conference games scheduled for 2012:

• 09/15 – Delaware State
• 09/29 – Virginia Tech (at Landover, MD)
• 10/06 – Miami (OH)
• 10/20 – at Toledo

The Bearcats will likely need a fifth game with the likely departure of West Virginia to the Big 12 for the 2012 season. A sixth non-conference game could also be scheduled if Cincinnati only has six conference games.

Football Schedules:

• 2012 Cincinnati Bearcats Football Schedule
• Cincinnati Future Football Schedules

Memphis would join the Big East in all sports. The Tigers have been a member of Conference USA since 1996.

The Big East is losing West Virginia to the Big 12, a move that will likely happen this year. Pittsburgh and Syracuse are also leaving to join the ACC. The Panthers and Orange are slated to move in 2014 but could make the switch in 2013 if WVU’s early move is successful.

With those losses, the Big East has successfully added Boise State (football only), Houston, San Diego State (football only), SMU and UCF beginning in 2013. Navy will also give up its Independent status in football to join the conference in 2015.

The addition of Memphis would give the Big East 12 football members beginning with the 2015 season. Under current NCAA rules, that would allow the conference to stage a championship game.

Related Links:

• Memphis Tigers Future Football Schedules
• Big East adds Navy as Football member in 2015
• Big East announces addition of five schools for 2013

Last week, West Virginia notified FSU that they were canceling their 2012 game which was scheduled for Sept. 8 in Tallahassee.

The Mountaineers are preparing to compete in the Big 12 next season and needed to cancel one of their four scheduled non-conference games. Canceling the trip made the most financial sense to West Virginia, although they do have to pay a $500,00 buyout. If FSU can’t find a suitable replacement, they Seminoles might file a lawsuit against the Mountaineers to recoup additional lost revenue.

Florida State has reportedly reached out to several BCS schools to fill the Sept. 8 void on their schedule. Those teams include Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Syracuse and Pittsburgh.

Oklahoma currently needs two non-conference games in 2012, but would the Sooners want to play another home-and-home series with FSU? The two schools just completed their 2010-11 set in which Oklahoma won both games.

Texas A&M is also in need of two games with their move to the SEC in 2012. The Aggies currently have open dates on Sept. 22, Oct. 13 and Nov. 17. They are scheduled to host Florida on Sept. 8 and that date is unlikely to change.

The three Big East schools, Rutgers, Pittsburgh and Syracuse, will each need an additional non-conference game with the departure of West Virginia. They could even schedule two since the NCAA allows 12 games.

Whoever Florida State can get to fill that void, look for it to happen soon since the 2012 ACC schedule is likely to be released later this month.

The Mountaineers were scheduled to visit Doak Campbell Stadium on Sept. 8, 2012. The two schools are also slated to play Sept. 14, 2013 at West Virginia. No announcement was made about the future of that game, but WVU will also need to cancel one of their non-conference games that season since they have four on the books.

West Virginia is canceling the FSU game in preparation for playing a Big 12 schedule in 2012. With ten teams in the Big 12, each school will play a nine-game conference schedule.

Florida State will need to act quickly to get a new opponent for their fourth non-conference game. The ACC schedule should be released this month and the Seminoles need their schedule completely set for season ticket holders and marketing.

FSU could look for an FCS school, but they are already slated to open the season against Murray State on Sept. 1. Brett McMurphy of CBSSports.com suggests that the Noles contact schools in the Big East since they will need an extra game with the departure of West Virginia.

Statement from FSU AD Randy Spetman:

“We were informed in writing late Friday afternoon of West Virginia University’s intention to cancel its 2012 football game with Florida State University scheduled for September 8 in Tallahassee. We are disappointed for our coaches, players and fans that this game will not take place as originally scheduled. We now face the challenge of completing our 2012 schedule just seven months before the start of the season. We will work quickly and diligently to fill the hole on our schedule and will communicate with our season ticket holders and fans as the process moves forward.”

Related Links:

• 2012 Florida State Football Schedule
• 2012 West Virginia Football Schedule
• Report: West Virginia May Cancel 2012 Game at Florida State

Syracuse will host Stony Brook at the Carrier Dome on Sept. 15, 2012. It will be the first ever meeting between the two schools.

Stony Brook is a member of the Big South Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision. The Seawolves finished the 2011 season 9-4 and lost in the 2nd round of the FCS playoffs.

The Orange are currently slated to open the 2012 season on Sept. 1 at home against Northwestern. Syracuse then takes on the USC Trojans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Sept. 8.

After hosting Stony Brook, Syracuse travels to face the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sept. 22.

Although the 2012 Big East football schedule has yet to be released, Syracuse should host Connecticut, Louisville and Pittsburgh and travel to Cincinnati, Rutgers and USF.

It’s looking more likely that West Virginia will compete in the Big 12 in 2012, so Syracuse will not face the Mountaineers. Instead, the Orange will need an extra non-conference game giving them six overall.

Football Schedules:

• 2012 Syracuse Orange Football Schedule
• Big East Football Schedules

The Naval Academy has never been a member of a football conference. The Midshipmen have been an Independent since they began playing football in 1879.

With the addition of Navy in 2015, the Big East will have 11 football members. Last month, the Big East announced the addition of five schools beginning with the 2013 season: Boise State, Houston, San Diego State, SMU and UCF.

It is believed that the Big East will add an additional member in the future to get to a total of 12 teams. The conference would likely split into East and West divisions.

The East would probably consist of Cincinnati, Connecticut, Navy, Rutgers, UCF and USF with Boise State, Houston, Louisville, San Diego State and SMU in the West.

From the Big East release:

“When people look back, they will mark this as a truly historic day for the BIG EAST Conference,” said Commissioner John Marinatto. “America’s first national football conference is adding a program with true national appeal. Navy’s decision to make the BIG EAST its first football conference home after over 100 years of independence demonstrates the value of our new expansion model and the long-term viability of our football product. The BIG EAST is truly proud to be associated with one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country and one of the most storied programs in college football.”

“I am honored to welcome the United States Naval Academy and its football program to the BIG EAST Conference,” said Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida President and Chair of the BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors. “The Naval Academy’s steadfast commitment to the educational, moral and physical development of our future leaders echoes the ongoing missions of our current and future members to achieve success at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics. We are indeed proud to include the Academy under the auspices of the BIG EAST Conference.”

“The Naval Academy is pleased to accept the invitation for our football team to join The BIG EAST Conference,” said Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Admiral Michael Miller, USN. “After careful consideration, we believe this affiliation to be in the best interests of the Naval Academy, our athletic programs and the Brigade of Midshipmen. While our independent status has served Navy football well to date, BIG EAST conference affiliation will help ensure our future scholar-athletes and athletic programs remain competitive at the highest levels for the foreseeable future.”

“The BIG EAST will provide an expanded stage for the American public to see our nation’s future leaders,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. “Expanded media opportunities and coverage by the BIG EAST will elevate the national visibility of Navy football to the highest levels. This new affiliation will brand Navy football as a member of a BCS conference whose competitive aspirations include the opportunity to compete for a championship. The BIG EAST plays a prominent role in the NCAA governance structure and affiliation will ensure that the Naval Academy solidifies its position as an important contributor to leadership decisions on the national level.”

Both schools are in need of non-conference games to complete their 2012 football schedules. How many depends on West Virginia’s lawsuit to leave the Big East and compete in the Big 12 in 2012.

The Sooners currently have one non-conference game on the books for 2012, an Oct. 27 home game against Notre Dame. OU needs two more non-conference games and could possibly need a third if West Virginia has to stay in the Big East next season.

Oklahoma previously had a non-conference game scheduled against TCU for 2012. But with the Horned Frogs joining the Big 12 in 2012, that contest is now a conference game.

Rutgers has four non-conference games scheduled for 2012: Kent State (Sept. 15), Army (Nov. 10), Howard (date TBA) and at Tulane (date TBA). The Scarlet Knights need one more game and two if West Virginia leaves.

Regarding the possibility of the Oklahoma-Rutgers game at MetLife, John Hoover of TulsaWorld.com reported today that “…an OU insider said that game isn’t likely to happen.”

Football Schedules:

• Oklahoma Future Football Schedules
• Rutgers Future Football Schedules

This will be Navy’s first ever foray into a football conference. The Midshipmen have competed as an Independent since they began playing football in 1879.

With the addition of Navy in 2015, the Big East will have 11 football members. West Virginia leaves either this year or in 2013, depending on the courts, and Pittsburgh and Syracuse head to the ACC in 2014. But the conference adds Boise State, Houston, San Diego State, SMU and UCF in 2013.

Reports indicate that Big East commissioner John Marinatto is seeking to add another school to get the conference to 12 teams. Air Force, Army and BYU have recently been targeted, but all three have chosen to remain where they are.

Navy couldn’t join the Big East any earlier due to their future schedules and television contracts. The Midshipmen almost have their schedules filled through 2017.

Related Stories:

• Texas Tech President “very hopeful” West Virginia will be in Big 12 in 2012
• WVU AD: “No question” the Mountaineers will play a Big 12 schedule in ’12
• Big East announces addition of five schools for 2013
• West Virginia to join Big 12 Conference in 2012
• Pittsburgh and Syracuse to join the ACC

“West Virginia has assured us they’d be in there,” Bailey said. “I believe them and I’m very hopeful… I think all of the realignment issues will be resolved in the next two weeks. I won’t guarantee it, but we are making progress.”

The Big 12 Board of Directors are scheduled to meet on Feb. 2, the day after they hope West Virginia’s lawsuit with the Big East is resolved. In any event, the Big 12 hopes to release their 2012 football schedule soon after.

According to Bailey, those schedules will include West Virginia. Bailey said the “…Big 12 has at least three preliminary schedules” and that the “…schedules feature West Virginia on them.”

When West Virginia’s 2012 conference is finally decided, it will leave the other conference scrambling to fill non-conference games. Big 12 schools currently have three non-conference contests scheduled, but will have to add a fourth if the Mountaineers reamain in the Big East.

On the other hand, if WVU heads to the Big 12, the Big East will be left with only seven members for 2012. That means each school will need six non-conference games.

Related Stories:

• WVU AD: “No question” the Mountaineers will play a Big 12 schedule in 2012
• Report: West Virginia may cancel 2012 game at Florida State

Nevada will host USF at Mackay Stadium in Reno on September 8, 2012. The Wolf Pack will then travel to face the Bulls at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on October 3, 2015. The game in 2012 will be the first ever meeting between the schools.

The announcement of this series completes South Florida’s 2012 non-conference schedule. The Bulls will host Chattanooga (Sept. 1) and Florida State (Sept. 29) and travel to Ball State (Sept. 22) and Miami, FL (Nov. 24).

USF’s conference schedule remains in flux due to West Virginia’s lawsuit against the Big East. Unless further changes are made, USF will host Big East foes Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Rutgers and Syracuse and travel to play Cincinnati and Louisville.

Nevada has also completed its 2012 non-conference schedule. The Wolf Pack are slated to host Northwestern State (Sept. 15) and travel to California (Sept. 1) and Texas State (Sept. 29). Nevada could add one more non-conference game if they desire due to the Hawaii Exemption.

2012 will be Nevada’s first season in the Mountain West. They will host Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Wyoming and travel to Air Force, Hawaii, New Mexico and UNLV.

Football Schedules:

• 2012 Nevada Football Schedule
• 2012 USF Football Schedule

Toledo will host Cincinnati at the Glass Bowl on October 20, 2012. The Rockets will then travel to face the Bearcats at Nippert Stadium on September 13, 2014.

Although the two Ohio schools are separated by approximately 200 miles, they have only played six times. Their last meeting was in the Motor City Bowl on Dec. 29, 2001. Toledo won that game 23-16, but Cincinnati leads the overall series 4-2.

The announcement of this series completes Toledo’s 2012 football schedule. Other non-conference games for the Rockets include at Arizona (Sept. 1), at Wyoming (Sept. 8) and home vs. Coastal Carolina (Sept. 22).

Although dates haven’t been announced yet, MAC games for Toledo include Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green and Central Michigan (home) and Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan (away).

Cincinnati’s 2012 schedule remains in flux due to West Virginia’s lawsuit against the Big East. Currently, the Bearcats have non-conference games schedule against Virginia Tech at FedEx Field in Landover, MD (Sept. 29) and vs. Miami, OH (Oct. 6).

Unless further changes are made, Cincinnati will host Big East foes Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse and USF and travel to play Connecticut and Louisville.

Football Schedules:

• Cincinnati Bearcats Future Football Schedules
• Toledo Rockets Future Football Schedules

In a conversation with WVIllustrated.com, Luck had the following to say regarding West Virginia’s imminent move to the Big 12:

“There is no question that we will be playing a Big 12 schedule in all of our sports for the ’12-’13 academic year,” Luck stated. “We are telling our coaches to begin their non-conference scheduling based on the Big 12. We are committed to the Big 12 and I have no doubt that we are going to be in the Big 12 for the ’12-’13 academic year.”

West Virginia is currently involved in a lawsuit with the Big East over the timing of their exit. The Mountaineers are hoping to avoid the Big East’s 27-month waiting period for teams that wish to leave the conference.

Apparently, Oliver Luck and West Virginia believe they will eventually win their case and head to the Big 12 on July 1. They have already initiated discussions to alter their 2012 schedule in preparation for Big 12 play.

Last week, the Tallahassee Democrat reported that West Virginia was seeking to cancel their 2012-13 home-and-home series with Florida State. The cancellation of this series would leave West Virginia with three non-conference games in 2012, which is necessary because the Big 12 plays a nine-game conference slate.

But it will cost the Mountaineers buy this series out. The 2012 game will cost them $500,000 and the 2013 game would be an additional $350,000. WVIllustrated also mentions that the 2014-15 series with Michigan State could be in jeopardy due to the same scheduling issues.

Football Schedules:

• West Virginia Future Football Schedules
• 2012 College Football Schedules

West Virginia is currently slated to face the Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee on Sept. 8, 2012. FSU is scheduled to return the trip to Morgantown on Sept. 14, 2013.

Due to West Virginia’s move to the Big 12, the Mountaineers need to drop a non-conference game. The Big 12 plays a 9-game conference schedule which leaves their members three non-conference games per year.

If the FSU game is cancelled, the Mountaineers three non-conference games would be Marshall (Sept. 1), James Madison (Sept. 15; at FedEx Field) and Maryland (date TBA).

The Mountaineers are currently suing the Big East to leave the conference in 2012 rather than abide by the 27-month waiting period.

If the WU-FSU game or series is cancelled, WVU would owe Florida State $350,000 to $500,000 in buyout fees.

Football Schedules:

• 2012 Florida State Football Schedule
• 2012 West Virginia Football Schedule

The game will be played at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 (8:00 p.m. ET – ESPN).

This will be only the second meeting between Clemson of the ACC and West Virginia of the Big East. The Tigers beat the Mountaineers 27-7 in the 1989 Gator Bowl.

Clemson won the 2011 ACC Championship Game and finished the season with a 10-3 record and ranked 15th in the BCS. West Virginia won a share of the Big East title, finishing 9-3 and ranked 23rd in the BCS.

2012 Discover Orange Bowl Tickets:

• 2012 Orange Bowl Tickets – RazorGator.com
• 2012 Orange Bowl Tickets – TicketsNow.com
• 2012 Orange Bowl Tickets – TicketNetwork.com

Clemson Tigers:

• Clemson ACC Champions & Orange Bowl Fan Gear
• Clemson Future Football Schedules

West Virginia Mountaineers:

• West Virginia Big East Champions & Orange Bowl Fan Gear
• West Virginia Future Football Schedules

The addition of these five schools gives the Big East a total of ten football schools. Boise State and San Diego State will be football-only members, while Houston, SMU and UCF will join in all sports.

Although no specifics have been offered yet, the Big East will split into Eastern and Western Divisions. The conference also desires to stage a football championship game. Currently, NCAA rules stipulate that conferences need 12 schools for a championship game, but the Big East can petition to allow 10.

From the Big East release:

“Over the last 32 years, the BIG EAST Conference has constantly evolved along with the landscape of college athletics,” said BIG EAST Commissioner John Marinatto. “The inclusion of these five great Universities, which bring a unique blend of premier academics, top markets, strong athletics brands and outstanding competitive quality, marks the beginning of a new chapter in that evolution. We are proud to welcome these schools to the BIG EAST family.

“Much like the conference as a whole, the BIG EAST name — though derived 32 years ago based on the geography of our founding members — has evolved into a highly respected brand that transcends borders, boundaries or regions. It’s national. Our membership makeup is now reflective of that.”

“Over its history, the BIG EAST has changed and adapted as needed to maintain its place and leadership in the world of college athletics. And it has always done so with great respect and reverence for its heritage and legacy,” said Judy Genshaft, University of South Florida President and Chair of the Conference Board of Directors. “And so it is today. Boise State, Houston, San Diego State, SMU and UCF are all fine schools that will enhance every aspect of the BIG EAST.”

McMurphy also reported that Navy will join the Big East as soon as the other five schools are official. That would give the conference 11 football members. He also stated that they hope to add Air Force as their 12th school with Temple as a backup plan.

Boise State and San Diego State would be football-only members, as would Air Force and Navy if they decide to join. Houston, SMU and UCF would join in all sports.

The Big East is trying to rebuild after losing TCU and West Virginia to the Big 12 and Pittsburgh and Syracuse to the ACC. TCU never played a season in the Big East.

West Virginia is currently suing to leave in 2012 rather than heed the Big East’s 27-month exit notice. If they are successful, Pittsburgh and Syracuse could follow suit rather than waiting until 2014.

Last month, Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner reported that the Big East was trying to add a “…West Division that would be comprised of BYU, Boise State, Air Force, Houston, Louisville and Southern Methodist.” Although talks between BYU and the Big East broke down, it now appears that some of the schools from that list will make the jump.

Here is a look at what the Big East could look like by 2014:

East Division

• Cincinnati
• Connecticut
• Louisville
• Rutgers
• UCF
• USF

West Division

• Air Force
• Boise State
• Houston
• Navy
• San Diego State
• SMU

Pitt will host Youngstown State at Heinz Field on September 1, 2012. This will be the third meeting between the two schools. The Panthers beat the Penguins 41-0 in 2005 and 38-3 in 2009.

Other non-conference games for Pitt in 2012 include Virginia Tech (Sept. 15), at Buffalo (Oct. 6) and at Notre Dame (Nov. 3).

In Big East games, the Panthers are slated to host Louisville and Rutgers and travel to Cincinnati, Connecticut, Syracuse and USF.

Pittsburgh finished the 2011 season 6-6 overall and 4-3 in the Big East. They will face the SMU Mustangs in the BBVA Compass Bowl on Sat., Jan. 7, 2012.

Football Schedules:

• 2012 Pittsburgh Panthers Football Schedule
• Pittsburgh Future Football Schedules

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Cincinnati Bearcats 2011 Big East Champions