Alabama Reworked Its Schedule, and West Virginia Is Out

Alabama and West Virginia have mutually agreed to cancel their scheduled home-and-home football series set for 2026 and 2027. The change comes as the SEC plans to move to a nine-game conference schedule, reducing flexibility for non-conference matchups. Alabama will now host East Carolina at home in 2026 instead of traveling to Morgantown.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne emphasized the need for adjustments amid shifting scheduling dynamics. With the SEC adding a ninth league game, the existing non-conference slate needed reevaluation. Byrne noted the school is committed to maintaining a strong overall schedule, using its expanded flexibility to evaluate strength of schedule and preserve quality matchups.

For West Virginia, the cancellation opens space to align with contemporary scheduling philosophy. The Mountaineers will now host Coastal Carolina in 2026, replacing Alabama, and plan to welcome Southern Miss in 2027. WVU athletic director Wren Baker said the new structure supports balanced non-league planning and offers another home game for fans, who expect consistent scheduling and meaningful matchups.

This change continues a pattern across major programs. West Virginia had avoided scheduling multiple non-conference Power Four opponents in the same season, aiming instead for a mix of one Power Four team, one Group of Five opponent, and one FCS opponent. The adjustment aligns WVU’s approach with trends in college football scheduling.

The series between Alabama and West Virginia was never played. It was scheduled by both schools in 2019 for games in Morgantown in 2026 and Tuscaloosa in 2027, but provisions in the contract allowed for cancellation if conference formats changed, provisions now enacted.

This realignment leaves both teams adapting to greater league demands. Alabama preserves a strong non-conference profile while WVU secures fan-friendly home dates offering continuity and revenue. Both schools reaffirmed they remain committed to quality matchups in an evolving schedule environment.