Coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks has proposed an overhaul of the college football calendar, advocating for an NFL-style schedule with limited open weeks, no long laydays for playoff teams, and a season that concludes by January 1st. This would significantly reduce the number of weeks between games and shorten the overall season.
Lanning, who has led the Ducks to multiple bowl victories, is pushing for a more structured and efficient schedule to enhance the competitiveness of college football. The proposed changes could impact the timing of key games and the scheduling of playoff matchups, potentially affecting the overall flow of the season. The College Football Playoff committee would need to consider these recommendations as they evaluate the future of the sport.
This proposal comes amid ongoing discussions about the organization of college football, with various stakeholders looking for ways to balance competition with player health and scheduling feasibility. Lanning’s suggestion marks a significant shift toward aligning college football with the NFL’s calendar, which has been a topic of debate among coaches and administrators.