Jon Sumrall, the newly hired head coach of the Florida Gators, has expressed his strong opinion on the college football calendar, calling it 'asinine' and 'absurd'. In a press conference, Sumrall argued that the current schedule is out of sync with the academic calendar, which he believes is a significant issue. He suggested that the NCAA should consider moving the season and the College Football Playoff up, to align the championship game with the beginning of January rather than the end.
Sumrall's frustration stems from the fact that the 2026 national quarterfinals will commence on December 30th, with the Fiesta Bowl, while the Cotton Bowl, Peach Bowl, and Rose Bowl will be held just two days later on January 1st, 2027. The national semifinals follow two weeks later, with the Orange Bowl on January 14th and the Sugar Bowl on January 15th. The 2027 CFP National Championship Game is set for January 25th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
He believes that moving the season up by a week or two would be beneficial, as it would bring the championship game closer to the traditional January 1st date. Sumrall also highlighted the scattered nature of the current system, where the high school signing date was moved to early December to protect students from transfers, but the Transfer Portal window was then moved back.
While Sumrall's ideas may be well-intentioned, it's important to note that any changes to the calendar would not be implemented until 2028 at the earliest, as the dates for the 2026 and 2027 Playoffs have already been announced. This leaves a gap of time where the current schedule remains in place. Despite this, Sumrall's comments have sparked a discussion about the alignment of the academic and football seasons, and the potential benefits of a more cohesive calendar.
This controversy raises an interesting question: How can the NCAA balance the needs of TV and money with the well-being and academic progress of student-athletes? Do you think the college football calendar should be adjusted to better align with the academic year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
