In recent years, college football has undergone unprecedented changes. From conference realignments and playoff expansions to name-image-likeness (NIL) market freedoms and unlimited transfers, the sport has transformed more dramatically than ever before. The introduction of direct payments from schools to athletes in 2025 will mark yet another significant shift. These changes have created stress for coaches, athletes, and fans alike, with many stakeholders feeling the strain. To address these challenges, a new calendar could provide much-needed stability and enhance the quality of the game.
Redefining the Offseason and Preseason Schedule
The proposed adjustments aim to streamline the offseason and preseason activities, reducing pressure on athletes and coaches. By moving spring football to June and opening the transfer portal in January, athletes can focus on their current teams and academic commitments without being rushed into decisions. Additionally, mini-camps in March and April would help maintain team cohesion and skills retention during the transition period.
Moving spring football to June would allow players recovering from in-season injuries to participate fully in team practices. This change would alleviate the current pressure to enter the transfer portal in December and find new homes before the spring semester begins. By shifting spring football to the first Monday in June, athletes would have more time to heal and return to full-team workouts healthy. Furthermore, opening the transfer portal in January, specifically the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day, would give athletes an extra month to make informed decisions about their future. This adjustment would also reduce the urgency to settle in with a new program before spring ball, allowing athletes to remain focused on their current teams and postseason opportunities.
Enhancing the Regular Season and Postseason Experience
The proposal includes several modifications to the regular season and postseason schedule, aiming to improve the overall experience for all involved. By advancing the regular season by one week and adding home games to the College Football Playoff, the excitement and engagement of fans and participants would be significantly enhanced. Moreover, creating a New Year's Day Bowl Festival would provide additional positive postseason opportunities for teams that do not advance deep into the playoffs.
Advancing the regular season by one week would allow conference championship games to take place over the holiday weekend, providing a festive atmosphere for these crucial matches. Leagues could also incorporate flexible matchups for their final regular-season games, ensuring that the most competitive teams face each other. Adding another round of home games to the College Football Playoff would generate more excitement and revenue, while also giving top seeds a well-deserved home-field advantage. The CFP title game would be scheduled for either the second or third Friday in January, ensuring it does not conflict with NFL playoffs and receives the attention it deserves. Additionally, a New Year's Day Bowl Festival would feature eight teams that lost their first-round matchups, providing them with valuable practice time and a memorable postseason experience. This festival would rotate among six bowls, protecting the highest-level bowl games and maintaining their prestige.