For decades, the rhythm of the off-season for college football programs was predictable. There was spring practice followed by an intrasquad game, summer conditioning, preseason camp, and then the first game.
Chances are most of that rhythm will change when the calendar shifts to January 1, 2027.
The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee recommended sweeping changes that, if adopted, will eliminate spring practice as we know it. The full NCAA is expected to vote on the proposal in August.
Some potential changes for FCS football here đź‘€
— Zach McKinnell (@zachmckinnell) June 24, 2026
▫️FCS programs would be able to engage in a joint practice with another 4-year institution during the spring
▫️The transfer period would change from a 15- to a 10-day period beginning the first business day following Jan. 1 https://t.co/58vYSAqRH5
The new model would allow FBS schools to conduct two out-of-season practice periods with a total of 21 on-field practices.Â
Instead. of the current 15-day open period for the Transfer Portal, athletes would have only 10 days to announce their intentions.
Also, a change that would allow teams to hold joint practices in the spring is also on the table.
If this sounds like the NFL off-season model, it's not by accident. This is college football's answer to OTAs and mini-camps.
The preseason practice period would consist of 27 calendar days to conduct 21 practices. The. season would run for 14 weeks, with 12 games and two open dates.
It all sounds good and, honestly, most fans won't notice any difference in the pracrice schedules and so on. But there are significant obstacles already in place that could turn into a major juggling act for administrators.
Start with the unyielding College Football Playoff contracts -- those things aren't changing any time soon. Also, the college regular season reaches a crescendo on the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Shifting the season could complicate scheduling some of those games, and no one wants that. They pull huge ratings on TV, and administrators won't do anything that would adversely affect ticket sales.
And, of course, that's right around the time the NFL season dominates the airwaves and news cycles.
Like all programs, USF would have to adjust its entire off-season program if these changes are adopted. The Bulls' 2025 season ran for 13 weeks with only one pure open date. The upcoming season is even more compact, starting on September 5 and running through November 27 -- just shy of 12 weeks.
USF also has a couple of short weeks -- five days between games at home against Temple and at UTSA, and six days between a Friday night game at East Carolina followed by a Thursday home against Memphis.
The Bulls have only one pure open date.
Nothing in the proposed changes addresses what teams can do when TV has them playing at nonp-traditional times. It's even tougher for programs in the MAC and Sun Belt, which can find themselves playing on a Tuesday or Wednesday night to fill TV's insatiable appetite for programming.
Miami University's entire November schedule this season will be played on Tuesday nights -- four straight games.
And, of course, there's the question of how to adapt these new ideas if the playoffs expand the number of eligible teams. Just because the field wasn't increased for the upcoming season doesn't mean it won't happen eventually.
The NCAA has been busy in the buildup to this season. It already implemented major changes in age eligibility starting in 2027. Players entering as freshmen can play five seasons but it has to be done over five years. No redshirts or medical waivers. The rule should bring some much-needed stability to the college game.
This new proposal? Um, we'll get back to you on that.
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