Trending Now - Coaches Advocate for 24-team CFP, Scrapping Conference Titles

WHO:

On3 - The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) board voted on changes to college football.

On3 - Georgia head coach Kirby Smart expressed uncertainty about the 24-team model.

On3 - Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel supported the expanded format.

On3 - The White House and a presidential committee formed by President Trump are in favor of the expanded bracket.

WHAT:

On3 - The AFCA recommended the College Football Playoff be completed by the second Monday in January.

AP - The AFCA proposed reducing scheduled bye weeks from two to one.

AP - The AFCA stated that future playoff models should maximize the number of participants while honoring the proposed completion date.

On3 - The AFCA board voted in favor of a potential 24-team College Football Playoff and the elimination of conference championship games.

On3 - The AFCA recommended that the College Football Playoff end by the second week of January.

On3 - The AFCA proposed reducing the minimum number of days between games to no fewer than six.

On3 - The 2026-27 season will be the third installment of the 12-team College Football Playoff.

WHERE:

On3 - The AFCA board's decisions impact college football across the United States.

WHEN:

AP - An NCAA committee recommended that Football Bowl Subdivision teams play a 12-game schedule over 14 weeks beginning in 2027.

On3 - Last season’s national championship game took place on January 19, 2026.

On3 - Next year’s national championship game is scheduled for January 25, 2027.

WHY:

AP - The AFCA aims to better support student-athletes by aligning the college football season with the academic calendar and the single transfer portal window.

On3 - The AFCA stated that the length of the college football season is a critical issue that needs to be addressed to better serve student-athletes.

HOW:

On3 - The AFCA's proposal includes a 23-plus-1 model for the 24-team bracket, which would consist of the 23 best teams and one spot for the Group of 6.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 17:28 UTC)

The American Football Coaches Association has recommended that the College Football Playoff be completed by the second Monday in January and proposed reducing scheduled bye weeks from two to one. Additionally, an NCAA committee has suggested that Football Bowl Subdivision teams play a 12-game schedule over 14 weeks starting in 2027. These changes aim to better support student-athletes by aligning the college football season with the academic calendar and the single transfer portal window.

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(UPDATED May 6, 2026 15:45 UTC)

The American Football Coaches Association board has voted in favor of a potential 24-team College Football Playoff, which could eliminate conference championship games and aims to conclude by the second week of January. While Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel supports the expanded format, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has expressed uncertainty about the new model, which is backed by the White House and a presidential committee formed by Trump. The AFCA's proposal also includes a 23-plus-1 model for the bracket, allowing for the 23 best teams and one spot for the Group of 6, addressing the critical issue of the college football season's length to better serve student-athletes.