Alabama, West Virginia Cancel 2026-27 Football Series Amid SEC Scheduling Shift

Alabama and West Virginia have mutually agreed to cancel their home-and-home football series scheduled for the 2026 and 2027 seasons due to the Southeastern Conference's shift to a nine-game conference schedule starting in 2026. Alabama cited the need for more scheduling flexibility to manage strength of schedule and postseason positioning, while West Virginia aligned with a scheduling philosophy that includes one Power Four opponent, one Group of Five opponent, and one FCS team annually to enhance College Football Playoff prospects. In place of Alabama, West Virginia added home games against Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss, maintaining seven home games each season to benefit fans and the local economy. Alabama replaced West Virginia with nonconference games against East Carolina and Florida State for 2026, focusing on maintaining a competitive schedule. This change reflects broader trends in college football scheduling as conferences adjust to new models emphasizing playoff competitiveness and economic considerations. West Virginia's scheduling decisions also connect to leadership changes, including their new president's prior affiliation with Coastal Carolina.