Here's how Chris Del Conte would change the college football schedule

Texas athletics director Chris Del Conte has proposed significant changes to the college football schedule. He suggests starting the season during "week zero," effectively a week earlier than the traditional Labor Day weekend kickoff. This adjustment would allow teams to complete their 12-game seasons with two bye weeks, potentially enhancing the quality of play as teams prepare for an expanded College Football Playoff.

Del Conte also advocates for eliminating conference championship games, proposing that the College Football Playoff begin that week instead. Under his plan, quarterfinal games would occur in early December, with semifinals on New Year’s Day and the national championship shortly thereafter.

The proposal faces challenges, primarily from television networks that benefit financially from broadcasting conference championships due to high viewership. For instance, the 2025 Big Ten and SEC title games attracted millions of viewers, generating substantial revenue. Additionally, scheduling conflicts with NFL games could complicate playoff timings.

Del Conte acknowledges the hurdles, noting that his plan is just one perspective in the broader conversation about college football