5 changes that would drastically improve college football

Real spring football games

In addition to proposing that college football trim back to an 11-game regular season, there should also be a rule that bans games against FCS programs during the fall.

If there are only 11 games to determine the top 32 teams in the FBS, then FBS teams should play only other FBS opponents.

On top of that, there should be a mandated nine-game conference schedule so the SEC can’t get away with eight games anymore, plus no (FCS) bye weeks in November.

Fans don’t want to see meaningless football games in November, yet the SEC has made that a common occurrence because of buy games. So, here’s the solution: move those games to the spring.

There is no rule against playing actual football games in the spring. College programs just choose not to do it. Some in the FCS did in the spring of 2021 after their fall seasons were canceled and it’s a great idea for college football long term.

If schools are worried about losing revenue by playing just 11 games, adding a game in the spring against an FCS team would alleviate that concern. FCS teams would still get paid for these games and fans starving for football would turn out in droves.

Imagine if we saw Alabama host North Dakota State for a spring game? It could happen and it would make huge money for the schools and their TV partners. It would also allow big-time programs to get a look at their young talent in a truly competitive environment.

Banning the scheduling of FCS teams during the fall would also make college football better on both levels. More top FCS teams could play each other instead of playing up in the fall and FBS fans would see more consequential non-conference matchups.