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Ross Hodge Discusses WVU's Strategic Scheduling Priorities

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  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. usses-wvu-s-strategic-scheduling-priorities.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 13:55 GMT by on3.com

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Ross Hodge on WVU’s Future Scheduling: Balancing Competition, Exposure, and Player Development

When West Virginia’s football program announced a tentative schedule for the upcoming season, it was not just a list of dates and opponents that caught the media’s eye. It was the voice of Ross Hodge—WVU’s seasoned defensive backs coach and a veteran of the Big 12’s coaching trenches—that gave context to the numbers. In an exclusive interview posted on the West Virginia Sports Network (On3.com), Hodge broke down the philosophy behind the Mountaineers’ future scheduling options and offered a glimpse into how the team’s competitive roadmap is being shaped.

1. The Core Question: Who Should WVU Play?

At the heart of Hodge’s discussion is a simple but critical question: who should the Mountaineers face? The answer is multi‑layered. He stresses that the team must juggle three major objectives when selecting opponents:

1. Competitive Growth – “We want games that stretch us, that force us to improve on every phase of the game,” Hodge said. He emphasizes that the schedule should feature a mix of mid‑tier Power Five teams and a couple of top‑ranked opponents. The idea is to “grow our players in the real‑world, high‑stakes environment.”

2. Recruiting Visibility – “We’re always looking for matchups that give us exposure to prospective recruits,” he added. Playing a prominent program in a high‑profile TV market can help WVU’s recruiting pipeline, especially when the game is broadcast on national networks like ESPN or the Big Ten Network.

3. Logistics and Travel – The West Virginia landscape imposes unique challenges, and Hodge points out that travel fatigue can become a significant factor. “We’re careful to keep the travel schedule balanced so our guys can focus on playing instead of just getting from point A to point B,” he noted.

2. “We’re In Talks” With Specific Power‑Five Programs

The interview contains a series of potential match‑ups that are being discussed with other programs’ athletic directors. Although the Mountaineers are not yet locked into any deals, Hodge confirmed that they are looking at the following teams:

• Texas & Oklahoma (Big 12) – A historic rivalry that would bring tremendous exposure and a “level of competition” that the team can use as a benchmark.
• Florida & Tennessee (SEC) – A game against a top‑10 SEC team would elevate WVU’s national profile and test the defense against elite offenses.
• UCF (American) – A mid‑tier opponent that would offer a balance of challenge and a manageable road trip.

Hodge stresses that while these are “talks,” the team’s focus remains on securing games that fit the three objectives mentioned above.

3. The Influence of Big 12 Realignment

A key point in the interview is how Big 12 realignment will shape WVU’s scheduling strategy. As the conference’s membership shifts, Hodge says the Mountaineers must stay agile:

“The realignment means we’re not guaranteed certain conference match‑ups every year. We’re working to make sure the non‑conference slate gives us enough quality games so we’re not over‑relying on conference play.”

He references a link (within the On3 article) to the official WVU Athletics site that outlines the Big 12’s new scheduling framework. The conference’s shift from a 14‑team to a 10‑team roster means that the Mountaineers could be facing a different mix of conference opponents, affecting the balance of the overall schedule.

4. A Strategic Mix of Home & Away Games

The interview includes a brief discussion of how home-field advantage factors into the planning process. Hodge notes that the team wants to ensure a “balanced distribution of home and away games” to optimize player performance and fan engagement. The Mountaineers’ fan base is a key asset, and the team wants to maximize home attendance without overloading the roster with back‑to‑back away games.

He highlights that WVU will likely host at least one “big‑money” opponent on home turf—something that can bring in significant revenue for the athletic department while offering the team a familiar environment to host a top‑ranked opponent.

5. Linking Back to the Broader WVU Football Narrative

The On3 article is not a standalone piece. Hodge’s comments dovetail neatly with other content linked within the story. For example, a hyperlink to WVU’s official 2024 football schedule provides readers with exact dates, venues, and broadcast details. Another link directs readers to a WVU media release on the conference realignment, providing context for how the changes affect scheduling and conference play. Additionally, readers can click through to a recent article covering the Mountaineers’ performance in the 2023 season—a season that set the stage for the upcoming scheduling conversation.

6. Takeaway: A Thoughtful, Player‑Centric Approach

In sum, Ross Hodge’s discussion on WVU’s future scheduling options demonstrates a player‑centric approach that balances competitive growth, recruiting exposure, and logistical pragmatism. By strategically selecting opponents, staying attuned to conference realignment, and ensuring a mix of home and away games, the Mountaineers aim to build a schedule that is both challenging and rewarding.

While the specifics of the final schedule are still being negotiated, Hodge’s candid insights give fans a clear window into how the Mountaineers are planning to navigate the evolving landscape of college football. Whether the Mountaineers eventually secure a game against Texas or Tennessee, it’s clear that the team’s leadership is committed to creating a schedule that elevates the program, strengthens player development, and keeps WVU fans on the edge of their seats.