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Alabama Reportedly Cancels Ohio State Series Amid CFP Changes

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, February 10th 2026 at 16:54 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: Alabama, Ohio, UNITED STATES

Tuscaloosa, AL - February 10th, 2026 - In a move signaling a potential shift in college football scheduling strategies, the University of Alabama is reportedly on the verge of canceling its scheduled home-and-home series against Ohio State University in 2027 and 2028. The news, first reported by ESPN commentator Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback, stems from growing concerns within the Crimson Tide program about maintaining scheduling flexibility in the evolving landscape of the College Football Playoff (CFP).

The agreement, originally set to see a game played in Columbus in 2027 and a return match in Tuscaloosa in 2028, was a highly anticipated matchup between two perennial powerhouses. However, McElroy, speaking on his podcast, indicated that the potential for significant changes to the CFP format is driving Alabama's reconsideration.

"I heard through the grapevine that Alabama is very likely to cancel the Ohio State agreement," McElroy stated. "It allows for some flexibility, and Alabama is always going to be looking for the best way to maximize their chances."

This isn't simply about avoiding a tough opponent. It's indicative of a broader trend in college football where programs are prioritizing strategic scheduling to optimize their playoff chances, even at the expense of long-standing rivalries and contractual obligations. For decades, scheduling was often determined by regional considerations, historical matchups, and financial incentives. Now, with the expansion of the CFP - set to include 12 teams beginning in 2024 - the calculus has dramatically shifted.

The Impact of CFP Expansion

The move to a 12-team playoff significantly alters the importance of a team's Strength of Schedule (SOS). Previously, a challenging non-conference schedule could hurt a team's chances if it resulted in multiple losses, potentially dropping them from contention despite a strong conference record. Now, a strong SOS is becoming essential for playoff qualification, as the CFP committee will be looking to reward teams that have proven themselves against top competition.

Alabama, under head coach Kaliber, has consistently ranked among the nation's elite. The Crimson Tide's program doesn't need to build its resume against Group of Five opponents; they need to consistently test themselves against other Power Five contenders. However, committing to a series like the one with Ohio State years in advance limits their ability to strategically fill out the rest of their schedule with games that best serve their playoff aspirations. A loss to Ohio State, while not devastating, represents a guaranteed tough loss that could be avoided by scheduling a weaker opponent, thus boosting their overall win percentage and potentially increasing their margin for error.

A Growing Trend?

Alabama's potential decision isn't isolated. Experts predict more programs will re-evaluate long-term scheduling contracts in the coming years. Several other Power Five conferences are considering similar adjustments, looking to create schedules that allow for more flexibility and control over their SOS. This could lead to a decline in traditional rivalry games as programs prioritize maximizing their playoff opportunities.

"We're entering an era of hyper-optimization in college football," explains Dr. Eleanor Vance, a sports economist specializing in college athletics. "Teams are treating their schedules like investment portfolios, meticulously crafting them to maximize returns - in this case, playoff berths. While it's understandable from a competitive standpoint, it risks eroding the fabric of the sport and diminishing the importance of tradition."

The financial implications are also significant. While the Ohio State series undoubtedly generates substantial revenue for both programs, the potential financial rewards of making the expanded CFP - and the accompanying media exposure - are even greater. A deep playoff run can generate tens of millions of dollars in revenue for a university, far exceeding the earnings from a single regular-season game.

As of this report, neither Alabama nor Ohio State has officially commented on the situation. However, industry insiders expect an announcement within the next few weeks, confirming the cancellation and potentially triggering a hefty buyout clause in the original agreement. This move will undoubtedly spark further debate about the future of college football scheduling and the balance between tradition, competition, and financial gain. It will be interesting to see if Ohio State attempts to find a replacement opponent on short notice or decides to take a break from marquee non-conference matchups.