11. Calendar reform: shorter season, sacred Saturdays

Insiders (sourced entries)

Mentioned

Ross Bjork (2026): end the season by the second Monday in January.

Ross Bjork, Ohio State athletic director · May 22, 2026 · 12-team/revenue-sharing (2024-26) · permalink

“I think really the second Monday in January should be the latest that we play college football.”

Bjork said the bigger issue than 24 vs. fewer playoff teams is fixing the whole calendar. He wants the season over by the second Monday in January and the postseason reimagined as bowls fade, which is why he considers 24 teams the right number.

Source: Bill Rabinowitz (Substack): Ross Bjork Q&A: Why Ohio State supports a 24-team CFP and the challenge of funding a title-capable team

Playoff & bowls Scheduling & calendar

Mentioned

Dan Lanning (2026): "Saturday should be sacred," keep December Saturdays for college.

Dan Lanning, Oregon head coach · Jan 1, 2026 · 12-team/revenue-sharing (2024-26) · permalink

“Saturday should be sacred for college football, and every Saturday through the month of December should belong to college football.”

At the Orange Bowl, Lanning argued that college football has given up too many dates to the NFL. He said every December Saturday should belong to college football, with playoff games played each week so the season ends by Jan. 1.

Source: Sports Illustrated (Ducks on SI): Dan Lanning Doubles Down On College Football Calendar Fix

Scheduling & calendar Playoff & bowls

Mentioned

Ted Cruz (2025): criticized NFL encroachment on Black Friday and Saturdays.

Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator (R-Texas), Commerce Committee chair · May 2025 · 12-team/revenue-sharing (2024-26) · permalink

“The NFL has tiptoed up to this rule”

Criticized the NFL for encroaching on college and high school football by scheduling Black Friday and late-season Saturday games under the Sports Broadcasting Act.

Source: CBS Sports: Can Nick Saban and a Texas billionaire fix college sports? What we know about their vision

Scheduling & calendar NFL relationship & draft

From outside the sport

Outside proposals

Full reform plans from fans, writers and advocacy sites, not insiders. Kept separate from the sourced insider entries above.

Fix College Football: 144 teams, 16 geographic conferences and a 32-team on-field playoff (Anonymous / Fix College Football (fixcollegefootball.com), Undated; fixed calendar ending Dec 22-28; no August or January games)