WVU, Alabama Cancel Football Series; Mountaineers to Face Coastal Carolina in 2026, Southern Miss in 2027
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A high-profile football matchup between West Virginia University and the University of Alabama has been called off, as both programs mutually agreed to cancel their scheduled home-and-home series. The decision, confirmed by both schools this week, alters the Mountaineers’ future non-conference slate, which will now include games against Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss.
The original series with Alabama was scheduled to begin in 2026, with WVU traveling to Tuscaloosa, and the Crimson Tide visiting Morgantown in 2027. However, the changing landscape of college football scheduling—fueled by expanded conference slates and playoff implications—has led many programs to reassess future matchups.
West Virginia wasted little time filling the vacancies. The Mountaineers will now host Coastal Carolina at Milan Puskar Stadium on Sept. 5, 2026, and Southern Miss will come to Morgantown on Sept. 4, 2027.
WVU athletic director Wren Baker emphasized the importance of finding competitive and fan-friendly matchups amid ongoing shifts in the college football calendar.
> “While we were excited about the opportunity to face Alabama, the evolving nature of scheduling and the demands of conference play made it necessary to revisit some of our future plans,” Baker said in a statement. “We’re pleased to welcome quality programs like Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss to Morgantown and believe these games will generate strong interest from our fans.”
The Mountaineers and Crimson Tide have only met once before—back in 2014—when Alabama defeated WVU 33-23 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta. That game marked a strong performance from then-WVU quarterback Clint Trickett, but Alabama’s rushing attack, led by T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry, proved too much.
The cancellation of the future series is reflective of broader national trends. With the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule and the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, many programs are opting for more flexible—and potentially less risky—non-conference games.
Coastal Carolina, a program on the rise in recent years, brings a unique challenge. The Chanticleers gained national attention in 2020 with an 11-1 record and a No. 14 final AP ranking. Though they’ve experienced some coaching turnover, they remain a respected Group of Five program with a reputation for creative offenses and a passionate fan base.
Southern Miss, a former Conference USA power now in the Sun Belt, has a long football tradition and has produced NFL talent such as Brett Favre and Jamie Collins. The Golden Eagles are working to re-establish themselves as a force in the Group of Five ranks.
For WVU, the new matchups maintain competitive balance while allowing the program to continue growing under head coach Neal Brown. The Mountaineers are seeking their first 10-win season since 2011 and are aiming to capitalize on recent recruiting momentum and player development.
While some fans may be disappointed to see Alabama off the schedule, the additions of Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss help ensure the Mountaineers have compelling opponents and manageable travel in the years ahead.
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