Among the moving pieces in the ever-changing world of college football, scheduling is one of the biggest topics of conversation. Since the introduction of the 12-team College Football Playoff, many coaches, athletic directors, and media analysts have spoken out about the issues that arise from a season that begins in early August and doesn't end until late January. Critics have pointed to factors such as coaches' ability to leave programs early and the spring transfer portal as reasons to make a more player-friendly season schedule.
As of this summer, those voices are starting to get heard by the NCAA. In June, the FBS Oversight Committee proposed changes that would move the beginning of the season to what is now Week 0, the last weekend in August.
Another noteworthy change would be the shortening of the winter transfer portal from a 15-day window down to 10 days.
With the start of the season set to move up, @UW_Football HC Jedd Fisch tells @DustyDvoracek & @Bcarp3 what he hopes will come from the changed schedule.@CoachJeddFisch | #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/IMP7hAzgc1
— College Sports on SiriusXM (@SXMCollege) September 11, 2026
To put it simply, the NCAA has elected to extend the season without publicly announcing any intention of shortening the postseason. This past weekend, Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch went on SiriusXM Radio to discuss the matter.
"I also hope that all it does is just add one more weekend of football," Fisch said. "But I don't necessarily understand, if we're gonna go to Week Zero, can we just move the season up? Can't it end a little earlier? Why does it have to go to Week Zero and still be a January 28th championship game? That's the part that I'm still struggling with, but I love the fact that we're moving it up."
Another key component to consider is the potential expansion to a 24-team playoff. If expansion were to occur, there would almost surely be changes to the regular season schedule. Coaches and analysts such as Fox Sports' Joel Klatt have advocated for shortening the season regardless of how many teams are in the playoff, but especially if the size of the playoff were to double. However, the NCAA currently appears to be going the other way.
While Fisch is all for the idea of starting the season earlier, he isn't the only one to question the grueling length of the schedule. A stricter offseason schedule makes for more clarity for student-athletes and coaches; it doesn't resolve the issue of a nearly two-month postseason slate.
With the proposal gaining momentum from many in the world of college athletics, the changes will be reviewed at the Division I Cabinet meeting on October 6-7. Until then, Fisch, among others, will have to wait and see what changes the NCAA makes next.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Jedd Fisch Speaks on Proposed Changes to College Football Scheduling
