MORGANTOWN — West Virginia’s 2026 football schedule is set.

The Big 12 Conference announced the 2026 slate on Wednesday morning, showing off the Mountaineers opponents and filling out the rest of their schedule.

WVU starts the 2026 season off with Coastal Carolina on Sept. 5 at Milan Puskar Stadium. It’ll be a revenge game for newly added pass rusher Zeke Durham-Campbell, who recently transferred. New WVU President Michael T. Benson has just come over from Coastal Carolina, where he helped build up that program.

The Mountaineers then host UT Martin on Sept. 12 as their FCS opponent, who should be a tough out, with head coach Jason Simpson, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson’s father, leading the charge.

WVU finishes nonconference play in Charlotte on Sept. 19 against Virginia, who had a promising 2025 season, finishing in the ACC Championship and in the AP Top 25. The Cavaliers just picked up Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein. Holstein had a rough day against WVU in the 2025 Backyard Brawl. He’ll be in a battle for the starting spot, hoping to get revenge.

WVU starts the Big 12 play hosting a new-look Oklahoma State squad in the first season without long-time coach Gundy on Sept. 26. The Mountaineers face a new head coach, Eric Morris, who came over from North Texas. Morris was replaced by former head coach Neal Brown.

The Cowboys will have a whole new team, made up of a lot of North Texas players. Morris brought over his quarterback, Drew Mestemaker, who led the FBS in passing yards, along with running back Caleb Hawkins, who was fifth in the nation in rushing.

WVU faces back-to-back new head coaches and hits the road to face Iowa State on Oct. 3. The Cyclones quickly hired Washington State head coach Jimmy Rogers to take over for long-time coach Matt Campbell. Campbell left for Penn State in the offseason, and Campbell took a lot of his best players, including veteran quarterback Rocco Becht.

The Mountaineers head back home for back-to-back games. WVU hosts Arizona on Oct. 10 and Cincinnati on Oct. 17.

“It’s great for our program and fans that we have seven home games and start with five of the first seven at Milan Puskar Stadium,” Rich Rodriguez said. “As with every year, the Big 12 is one of the best conferences in the country, filled with many tough opponents. Our players and coaches already are working hard and know there is a lot to do to get ready for the challenges ahead of us this season.”

The meeting with the Wildcats has a couple of storylines. Rodriguez will coach against his former team, where he was the head coach from 2012-17. Long-time Mountaineer wide receiver Rodney Gallagher will be back for his homecoming. He recently transferred to Arizona this offseason.

Cincinnati will be without its 2025 starting quarterback. High-sought-after quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, transferred to Texas Tech. Head coach Scott Satterfield will have a new signal-caller.

Then, WVU heads to TCU on Oct. 24. The Horned Frogs also don’t have their quarterback returning in 2026. Starting QB Josh Hoover transferred to the National Champions, Indiana, in the portal. WVU also hasn’t lost in Fort Worth since 2017.

WVU’s first bye week comes nine weeks into the regular season.

After the bye, the Mountaineers head out to the defending Big 12 Champions, Texas Tech on Nov. 7, who picked up Sorsby in the portal. WVU suffered its worst loss of the season in 2025, being shut out for the only time all year, losing 49-0.

WVU has back-to-back home games after the trip back out to Texas. The Mountaineers host Kansas on Nov. 14 and Houston on Nov. 21. WVU opened Big 12 play last year against Kansas and lost. The Mountaineers headed out to Houston and pulled off the upset against the Cougars. Houston finished 2025 ranked No. 22 in the final AP Poll.

The Mountaineers finish the regular season and Big 12 play at Utah on Nov. 28. The Utes also have a new head coach in 2026. Long-time coach Kyle Whittingham stepped down and is now the Michigan head coach. The Utes promoted 10-year defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley to be their next head coach.

“I’m excited for this schedule and our 2026 football season,” WVU AD Wren Baker said in a release. “With this being our year to have five Big 12 Conference games at home, there will be less travel for our team and our fans. Charlotte has always been a popular destination with Mountaineer Nation, so I think overall, our schedule sets up nicely for our fans. Having seven home games will be a boost for the hotels, restaurants and businesses in Morgantown and the surrounding area, which is important as well.”