Utah Coach Suggests Moving Bowl Games to Week 0 and Expanding Playoff to 24 Teams

Utah head football coach Morgan Scalley proposed moving bowl games to Week 0 during an interview at Big 12 Conference Media Days in Frisco, Texas, Usa Today reported. Scalley said the change would keep bowl sponsors happy, prevent player opt-outs and match good teams against each other. Scalley also called for expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams.

He suggested conducting bowl games in a format similar to the Player’s Era Tournament in college basketball, with direct financial incentives tied to NIL and revenue-sharing funding for participating teams. Scalley noted that teams and programs are losing money in college athletics. He pointed to Louisville as one power conference program that has reported a large deficit in its athletics budget.

Arizona head football coach Brent Brennan said he believes the college football season should end closer to the New Year’s holiday. The 2026 College Football Playoff Championship is scheduled for January 25, 2027. San Jose State opens the 2026 season with a Week Zero game on August 29 at USC.