Marshall opened its 2025 season at Georgia in what marked Tony Gibson’s first game as Thundering Herd head coach.
The first game in 2027 will likely pose an equally daunting challenge.
The Herd will start that year with a matchup at Alabama as announced Tuesday by Marshall Vice President and Director of Athletics Gerald Harrison.
“We are excited for the opportunity to play the University of Alabama at Bryant Denny Stadium on Nick Saban Field,” Harrison said in a school release. “Both Alabama and Marshall have proud traditions and rich histories, and it’s always special for our student-athletes and fans to experience a venue that represents the best of college football. Our program embraces these kinds of challenges, and I know Herd Nation will be there in full force to support our team.”
The contest is slated for September 4, 2027, and will mark the first meeting between the Herd and Crimson Tide.
The matchup with Alabama, which leads all programs with six National Championships since 2009, fills out Marshall’s 2027 non-conference schedule. That year, the Herd also has a matchup at Ohio (Sept. 11) and home games against Boise State and Bowling Green the following two weeks.
Since 2022, when Marshall won at Notre Dame, the Herd has faced several of the more notable programs in college football as part of its non-league schedule. The 2023 slate featured matchups with Virginia Tech and North Carolina State of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Last year, Marshall played at eventual national champion Ohio State.
Should the 2026 non-league schedule stay intact, Marshall will start three straight seasons with road games against premier opponents as the Herd is slated to kickoff its 2026 campaign at Penn State.