Will WVU Be Forced to Adjust Future Football Schedule?

With so much talk about Wren Baker’s schedule strategy in recent years, it now appears a new development will force WVU to adjust an upcoming schedule.

The Big 12 has joined two of the other three Power Four conferences in mandating programs schedule at least one Power Four opponent before getting into league play. While most Big 12 teams have always played at least one Power Four (WVU often played two for years during the Neal Brown era), there was a fogginess on if a rule was in place for a while.

But for the 2026 season, the Big 12, like the ACC and SEC, will require its schools to play one Power Four as part of their out of conference schedule for the 2026 season. West Virginia will open the season at home against Coastal Carolina, will welcome UT Martin to Morgantown and then battle Virginia in a neutral site showdown in Charlotte, N.C.

The Mountaineers’ 2026 schedule fits into the mold of most Power Four programs, certainly those within the Big 12. However, Baker may need to get to work to fix West Virginia’s 2027 schedule if that rule carries over into perpetuity, like most expect it will.

As of now, WVU’s 2027 non conference schedule is slated to be three home games against Southern Miss, VMI and then Ohio. Obviously, that schedule would not include a Power Four opponent outside of the Big 12, thus not fulfilling the requirement.

While schedules are usually made years in advance and it’s possible the conference will grandfather West Virginia’s 2027 schedule in, it’s just as likely Baker will be forced to switch one of the Group of 5 opponents for a Power Four school.

WVU director of athletics Wren walks on Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium during Gold-Blue Game. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

It’s safe to say he will not eliminate the FCS school (VMI) unless more other Power Four programs stop playing the FCS game, leaving Southern Miss and Ohio left. The Ohio matchup is also a continuation of a series that started when Rich Rodriguez’s team lost to the Bobcats in Athens, making that a game fans will view as an opportunity for revenge and a game Baker will not look to get out of.

And even though that clearly leaves Southern Miss, Baker has expressed his belief in momentum being important and preferring to not open seasons with a Power Four opponent.

Needless to say, WVU’s 2027 schedule is a bit complicated if the Big 12 enforces the one Power Four mad ante moving forward.

It should be noted that the Big Ten is now the lone Power Four conference without this requirement in place for 2026 – Penn State and Indiana have non conference schedules without a single Power Four opponent.

Find more coverage of the WVU football program at WV Sports Now.