Wed Sep 18 20:27:00 UTC 2024: ## Wake Forest Cancels Mississippi Game, Draws Ire from Lane Kiffin
**Winston-Salem, NC** – Wake Forest University has announced a new two-game home-and-home series with Oregon State, starting in 2025. This decision comes after the Demon Deacons canceled their previously scheduled trip to Mississippi in 2024, a move that has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin.
While Wake Forest has stated their commitment to honoring the terms of their original contract with Mississippi, the school has not disclosed the financial payout for canceling the game. The decision, according to Wake Forest athletic director John Currie, was made to prioritize “bringing national games to Winston-Salem” and securing resources for student-athletes.
Kiffin, however, expressed his displeasure with the situation, arguing that Wake Forest violated an “unwritten rule” by backing out of the game. He also criticized the late notice and the resulting need for Mississippi to find a replacement opponent.
This move marks a shift in Wake Forest’s schedule, with the university opting for a game against Oregon State, a holdover from the Pac-12, which is currently undergoing significant changes in conference affiliation. This new series will mark the first time a current ACC member will play in Corvallis.
The cancellation of the Mississippi game has sparked debate about the changing landscape of college football, with financial considerations playing a significant role in scheduling decisions. While Wake Forest sees this move as a strategic business decision, the impact on the relationships between the schools, as well as the perception of “unwritten rules” in college sports, remains to be seen.
First Piper 