College Football Offseason Primer: What to Watch for Before 2026 Kickoff

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The college football offseason is just getting started, but there are already several major storylines to track before the 2026 season kicks off. From debates around the future of the College Football Playoff format and calendar changes to player eligibility challenges and conference realignment, the next six months will be filled with important decisions that will shape the future of the sport.

Why it matters

The upcoming offseason will be a pivotal time for the direction of college football, with key issues like the CFP format, player eligibility rules, and conference alignment all up for debate. The decisions made in the coming months could have lasting impacts on the sport for years to come.

The details

Some of the top storylines to watch include: the ongoing discussions around the future CFP format, with the Big Ten pushing for a 24-team field; the battle over the college football calendar, including the potential move to a permanent Week Zero start; player eligibility challenges like the case of Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss; continued conference realignment, including the rebuilt Pac-12 and changes in the Mountain West; and the impact of Indiana's surprise undefeated season and CFP run, which has coaches across the country trying to replicate that success.

• The College Football Playoff semifinals and title game are scheduled for their latest date ever in 2026.
• Conferences will be assembling new bowl tie-ins this spring and summer after most agreements expired.
• The College Sports Commission has already sent out letters of inquiry and staffed up to enforce NIL and revenue-sharing rules.

What’s next

The College Football Playoff commissioners will meet several times over the coming months to hash out potential format changes for the 2027-28 season and beyond.