WVU Football: The non-conference games that actually matter

As WVU Football heads into year two under Rich Rodriguez, it’s worth taking a step back and looking at something that often flies under the radar – but plays a major role in where this program is headed. Read more: WVU Football: The non-conference games that actually matter.

If WVU wants to become a legitimate national contender and push toward a College Football Playoff berth, what happens in September matters. Strength of schedule, national exposure, recruiting momentum – it all ties together.

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And right now, it’s fair to question whether the Mountaineers’ future schedules are helping that goal.

The Alabama cancellation still hurts

The Mountaineers were set for a marquee home-and-home with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2026 and 2027. Those games would’ve garnered national attention, elite recruiting exposure, and a measuring stick for the program.

Instead, the series was canceled as Alabama adjusted to the SEC’s nine-game conference schedule.

WVU replaced those games with matchups against Coastal Carolina and Southern Miss.

No disrespect, but those games don’t carry the same weight. They don’t excite the fan base, and they don’t move the needle nationally.

That’s where the frustration starts.

The balancing act: Revenue vs. relevance

Athletic director Wren Baker has made it clear that seven home games are a priority. From a business standpoint, that makes sense. More home games mean more revenue and more opportunities for fans to engage.

But there’s a tradeoff.

The current scheduling model – one Power 4 opponent, one Group of 6 team, and one FCS game – is built for stability. It’s designed to protect records and help teams reach bowl eligibility.

What it doesn’t always do is elevate a program.

If WVU wants to matter nationally again, it has to be willing to schedule games that people actually care about. Let’s dive into the games that would help this situation.

University of Pittsburgh: The Backyard Brawl should be annual

This one is simple.

The Pitt Panthers should be on the schedule every year.

The Backyard Brawl has delivered every time it’s been played in recent years. The intensity, the regional pride, and the stakes make it one of the best rivalries in college football.

Even Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi publicly questioned why the series hasn’t continued.

Not playing this game annually is a missed opportunity – for both programs.

On the bright side, it returns in 2029, with home-and-homes set through 2036.

Marshall: A rivalry worth figuring out

The Marshall Thundering Herd football matchup makes too much sense on the surface. It’s in-state. It’s regional. Fans care – maybe more than they admit.

But blaming the lack of this game solely on a home-and-home disagreement is oversimplifying it.

Yes, Marshall wants a true one-for-one. West Virginia prefers a two-for-one to protect its seven home games. That’s part of it. The bigger issue is risk versus reward.

If WVU wins, it’s expected. No real national credit. Just move on. If they lose it’s a headline. A talking point. A recruiting tool used against you.

That imbalance matters.

Then there’s the political side – state pride, donors, optics. Things that don’t show up on paper but absolutely factor into decisions.

It should happen, but it’s not as simple as people think.

Virginia Tech: Regional and classic

Virginia Tech would be a perfect non-conference opponent.

The programs are close geographically, the fan bases overlap, and the games have historically been physical and competitive.

The challenge? Virginia Tech is booked out for years and prefers neutral-site games for high-profile matchups.

Still, if there’s a way to make it happen, WVU should be aggressive in pursuing it.

Maryland: The border rivalry

The Maryland Terrapins matchup – often called the “border rivalry” – is another that makes a lot of sense.

It’s easy travel for fans, it has history, and it brings regional relevance.

Right now, Maryland is focused on rekindling rivalries within its own footprint, particularly with Virginia and Virginia Tech. But this is a series that should be revisited sooner rather than later.

Penn State: The dream scenario

If you’re talking about a true statement game, it doesn’t get bigger than Penn State Nittany Lions football.

This is the one fans want. It would be massive for recruiting, exposure, and regional bragging rights.

The long-discussed “tri-rivalry” between Penn State, Pitt, and West Virginia would be one of the best things in college football.

But with the Big Ten locked into nine conference games and showing little urgency to schedule additional Power 4 opponents, it remains a long shot.

The bottom line: Schedule like a contender

If West Virginia wants to take the next step as a program, it can’t rely on safe scheduling.

Because there’s nothing worse than losing to a lower-tier opponent. There’s no upside. No momentum. No respect gained.

At least when you play – and even lose to -a top-tier program, you stay in the national conversation. Right now, the schedule feels like it’s built to protect wins. It should be crafted to build a brand. And if that means taking on tougher opponents in September, so be it. Because if the Mountaineers want to matter in December, it has to start acting like it belongs there in the first place.