College Football Calendar Overhaul: Could a Thanksgiving Weekend Championship Reshape the Sport?
The current college football calendar is, to put it mildly, a mess. The overlapping transfer portal window and the College Football Playoff create a chaotic period for players, coaches, and fans alike. But what if a relatively simple six-step plan could not only fix these issues but also inject new life into the bowl season and elevate the stakes of every game? Analyst Josh Pate believes he has the answer, and it centers around a Thanksgiving weekend climax.
The Core of the Problem: Calendar Congestion
For years, college football has struggled to balance tradition with the demands of a modern, increasingly competitive landscape. The expansion to the playoff, while exciting, has exacerbated existing problems. The transfer portal, intended to give players more agency, now often overshadows the postseason, with commitments happening even during bowl games. This diminishes the importance of those contests and creates a sense of instability. The key issue is a lack of clear separation between seasons, leading to player and fan fatigue.
Pate’s Six-Step Solution: A Timeline Transformation
Pate’s plan, outlined recently, isn’t about radical changes, but rather strategic shifts in timing. Here’s a breakdown:
Step 1: Early Start – Week 1 Moves to Week 0’s Slot
Moving the season up a week, starting the Saturday before Labor Day, immediately creates breathing room. This pushes rivalry week to the week before Thanksgiving, ensuring those heated matchups aren’t lost in the December shuffle.
Step 2: Thanksgiving Weekend for Rivalry & Conference Championships
This is a pivotal change. Consolidating rivalry games and conference championship games on Thanksgiving weekend creates a massive, nationally-focused event. Imagine the energy and viewership potential of a full slate of crucial games over the holiday.
Step 3: Revitalizing Bowl Season with Playoff Implications
Pate proposes playing six bowl games concurrently with the conference championship games. These aren’t just exhibition matches; they become crucial data points for the final College Football Playoff rankings. A win in a “Pop Tart Bowl” (as he playfully suggests) could legitimately propel a team into the playoff. This dramatically increases the relevance of bowl games, resurrecting a tradition that has waned in recent years. For example, a matchup like Oregon versus Houston, or Ole Miss versus Michigan, suddenly carries significant weight.
Step 4: Selection Sunday on Thanksgiving
Announcing the College Football Playoff bracket on Thanksgiving Sunday allows the sport to capitalize on the holiday momentum and avoid direct competition with the NFL. It’s a smart move to maximize attention.
Step 5: On-Campus Playoff Rounds & New Year’s Day Championship
Holding the first two rounds of the playoff on campus generates incredible atmosphere and revenue for universities. The final game on New Year’s Day maintains a traditional slot and provides a definitive end to the season.
Step 6: Streamlined Transfer Portal & Signing Day
Consolidating the transfer portal window and signing day into a focused two-week period creates clarity and allows players and coaches to move forward without the constant distraction of roster uncertainty. This is crucial for building stability and fostering a more sustainable program structure.
The Ripple Effect: Implications for the Future of College Football
This proposed calendar isn’t just about fixing logistical problems; it’s about fundamentally reshaping the college football experience. A Thanksgiving weekend climax would become a national spectacle, rivaling even the Super Bowl in cultural significance. The enhanced bowl season would provide more meaningful games and opportunities for teams to prove themselves. And the streamlined transfer portal process would create a more stable and predictable environment.
One potential challenge lies in accommodating the academic schedules of student-athletes. However, with careful planning and collaboration between universities and conferences, these concerns can be addressed. The benefits – increased fan engagement, enhanced playoff drama, and a revitalized bowl season – far outweigh the logistical hurdles.
Beyond the Schedule: The 17-Game Path to a Championship
Pate’s plan also ensures parity. Under this system, every team, including Notre Dame, would need to win 17 games to claim a national championship. This levels the playing field and emphasizes the importance of consistent performance throughout the season. It’s a compelling argument for a more equitable and competitive playoff system.
The future of college football hinges on its ability to adapt and innovate. Josh Pate’s six-step plan offers a bold, yet practical, vision for a more streamlined, engaging, and ultimately, more successful sport. It’s a conversation worth having, and a potential roadmap for a brighter future.
What changes to the college football calendar would you like to see? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
ESPN: The Transfer Portal’s Impact on College Football
