Earlier this week, the ACC made a notable shift in its football scheduling model, moving to a nine-game conference schedule and requiring its teams to play 10 regular-season games against Power 4 opponents. That change sparked some confusion and questions-especially around how it might impact other conferences and programs like West Virginia.
With the Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC already operating under a nine-game conference format, the ACC’s move brings all four Power 4 leagues into alignment on that front. But there’s a wrinkle when it comes to non-conference scheduling.
The ACC, Big 12, and SEC all require at least one Power 4 non-conference opponent. The Big Ten doesn’t.
That distinction led some to wonder whether West Virginia might be in violation of its league’s scheduling policy in the near future.
Here’s where things got interesting: West Virginia, a program that’s been consistent in scheduling tough non-conference matchups-often playing two Power 4 opponents per season-will step away from that trend in 2026 and, more notably, in 2027. In fact, the 2027 slate doesn’t include a single Power 4 non-conference game. That raised some eyebrows.
But here’s the bottom line: WVU is in the clear.
According to the Big 12, the Mountaineers won’t be required to alter their 2027 schedule, nor will they face any penalties for sticking with a lineup that features home games against Southern Miss (Sun Belt), VMI (FCS), and Ohio (MAC). That’s because the Big 12’s scheduling policy-established back in 2015 and in place for 10 full seasons now-requires teams to play at least one Power 4 opponent (or Notre Dame) and limits them to one FCS opponent per season. And historically, WVU has more than met that standard.
Since 2018, West Virginia has scheduled two Power 4 non-conference opponents every year. On paper, there are a couple of seasons where that didn’t quite materialize, but the reasons are understandable. A 2018 game at NC State was canceled due to a hurricane, and both Maryland and Florida State were on the 2020 non-conference slate before the COVID-adjusted schedule reduced teams to just one non-league game.
So what about 2027, when WVU won’t face a Power 4 team out of conference for the first time since it joined the Big East back in 1991? Well, that wasn’t the original plan.
The Mountaineers had a marquee home-and-home series lined up with Alabama for 2027 and 2028. But in August, both programs agreed to cancel the series. Southern Miss was brought in as a replacement for the 2027 date-long after the Big 12’s scheduling rule had been established.
And here’s the key detail: the Big 12 doesn’t penalize teams when a Power 4 opponent cancels a scheduled game. A conference spokesperson confirmed that policy, making it clear that WVU’s hands were tied and the program won’t be held accountable for a change that was out of its control.
Looking ahead, the Mountaineers have at least one Power 4 non-conference opponent scheduled every season from 2028 through 2036. That long-term consistency underscores the program’s commitment to challenging itself outside the league, even if 2027 ends up being a rare exception.
The silver lining for WVU? With no need to scramble for a Power 4 replacement in 2027, the Mountaineers can stick with their current lineup and enjoy the benefits of a seven-game home schedule.
Each of their contracts with Southern Miss, VMI, and Ohio reportedly includes a clause allowing for cancellation without penalty if conference or NCAA scheduling rules change. But with the Big 12 standing firm and WVU in compliance, there’s no need to exercise those options.
Bottom line: West Virginia is playing by the rules, even if the 2027 schedule looks a little different. The Mountaineers have built a strong track record of scheduling tough non-conference games, and one off-year-especially one that wasn’t their doing-doesn’t change that.