College football should run away from Super Bowl but chooses not to

The College Football Playoff (CFP) title game for this past season took place on January 19, 2026, overshadowed by the NFL divisional playoff games, which included dramatic overtime victories by the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams. In contrast, the NFL's 2026-2027 season will conclude with Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, marking the latest date ever for the event. The NFL's extended schedule into January and February raises questions about college football's scheduling, as the CFP championship games for 2027 and 2028 are set for late January, aligning closely with the NFL playoffs.

The current overlap with the NFL reduces college football's visibility, leading to calls for the CFP to conclude earlier in January, potentially even on New Year's Day. Advocates suggest moving CFP games to earlier in December to avoid competition with the NFL, which by law cannot play on the first two Saturdays of December. This adjustment would allow college football to maximize