College football could look quite different when the 2027 season arrives. The NCAA is considering changes that would alter the transfer portal window, offseason practices, and the start of the regular season.
The proposal has already divided the college football world, with analysts weighing what the changes could mean for teams, players, and scheduling.
CFB World Weighs In on Proposed 2027 Calendar Changes
The NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee has approved proposals that would make major changes to the football calendar, with the transfer portal window and offseason/preseason practice model still requiring a formal Division I Cabinet vote on Oct. 6–7.
The shift of the season’s start date to the Thursday of what is currently Week 0 was approved separately by the Division I Cabinet in June and has already been codified in the NCAA’s 2026-27 Division I Manual.
If approved, the January transfer portal window would be reduced from 15 days to 10 days. The regular season’s move to begin on the Thursday currently associated with Week 0 is already locked in for 2027 and beyond.
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That would effectively eliminate Week 0 as a separate part of the calendar. College football insider Pete Nakos pointed to that change on X, writing, “The rule change would mean this Week 0 will be the last for college football. The season would end on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.”
The rule change would mean this Week 0 will be the last for college football. The season would end on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. https://t.co/rTaZgCyrXM
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) August 28, 2026
Previously, in June, a new structure had already given FBS teams 14 weeks to play their 12-game regular seasons. Every team would receive two bye weeks, removing the need for special waivers to play during the current Week 0 period.
Brett McMurphy focused on the change in terminology, posting, “No more Week 0’s🥲(opening week will be – surprise! – Week 1.”
No more Week 0’s🥲(opening week will be – surprise! – Week 1 https://t.co/9C2hWEH1dR
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 28, 2026
Not everyone viewed the proposal as a meaningful answer to college football’s biggest problems. Former player and analyst George Wrighster III questioned the priorities behind the changes, writing, “All these ‘changes’ and the NCAA didn’t fix a damn thing that matters. They gearing up for playoff expansion.”
All these “changes” and the NCAA didn’t fix a damn thing that matters.
They gearing up for playoff expansion. https://t.co/6V9XZrlwmd pic.twitter.com/lNzs3gcVhA
— George Wrighster III (@georgewrighster) August 28, 2026
The proposal would also replace the traditional offseason practice setup with two practice periods. Teams could conduct 21 practices in total, with the two periods covering no more than seven weeks combined. Fall camp would also be shortened to 27 days.
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That part of the proposal drew support from J.D. PicKell, who said coaches have repeatedly identified the calendar as a major problem. PicKell wrote, “Almost every head coach we had on the show this offseason said some version of the same thing when we asked them how they would start to fix CFB? ‘The calendar.’”
Almost every head coach we had on the show this offseason said some version of the same thing when we asked them how they would start to fix CFB?
“The calendar.” https://t.co/0cDPbXZWRL
— J.D. PicKell (@jdpickell) August 28, 2026
Legal issues surrounding college sports also became part of the online discussion. Robert Behrens offered a sarcastic take on the proposal, writing, “But only if the county judges say it’s OK.”
But only if the county judges say it’s OK. https://t.co/5vPczE3fFE
— Robert Behrens (@rcb05) August 28, 2026
From a scheduling standpoint, Ryan Dyrud saw potential benefits for athletic departments and television networks. He wrote, “As expected, no more waivers for Week 0, the season will now just begin on that weekend. A lot of open real estate for good non-conference games to be scheduled.”
Joel Norris, meanwhile, viewed the changes as only an initial move toward broader reform. He wrote, “This is a start. Now can we just fix everything else?”
The proposals could reshape how programs plan their seasons, but the Oct. 6–7 vote will determine whether these changes become part of college football’s future.
