Dan Lanning’s Playoff Schedule Proposal: A Game-Changer for College Football

In the ever-evolving world of college football, Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning has sparked a lively conversation about the current College Football Playoff (CFP) schedule.

Lanning has been pretty vocal about his belief that the season ought to wrap up by January 1st. He argues this would help players, coaches, and maybe even keep the sport a bit more honest.

Coach Dan Lanning of the Oregon Ducks has really pushed for ending the college football season by January 1st. His main point? The current CFP schedule creates a mess for everyone involved.

Right now, the transfer portal opens while four teams are still prepping for the CFP Semifinals. That’s chaos for players and coaches. On top of that, coordinators who’ve landed head coaching gigs elsewhere end up juggling way too much before the new year even starts.

The Impact on Teams and Coaches

Lanning’s concerns make sense. The schedule puts a real strain on teams and their staff.

Look at the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels—they lost coach Lane Kiffin to LSU right in the thick of things. That kind of shakeup can easily throw off a team’s performance and preparation.

Lanning’s own Oregon Ducks had their share of challenges after beating the No. 4 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl. He’s said more than once that the quarterfinal should’ve been played in Lubbock, Texas, pointing out just how tricky the current setup can get.

The Case for Quicker Playoffs

Lanning’s been pushing for a faster playoff schedule for a while. He thinks games should happen closer together, and honestly, that could make things smoother for everyone.

Thinking back on the Orange Bowl, Lanning said the event itself was great. But he also admitted the old bowl experience isn’t really the same now that playoffs are in the mix.

He mentioned his team barely left the hotel, and again brought up that the playoff game probably belonged in Lubbock. It’s clear he’s all about keeping the playoffs as competitive as possible.

Challenges of the Current Format

The current setup gives the top-four teams a first-round bye instead of a home playoff game, but that hasn’t worked out well. Teams with a bye have only managed a 1-7 record, which Lanning blames on the long break between games.

He’s argued that every playoff game should be played each weekend until it’s over, even if that means starting the season in Week 0 or ditching a bye week. The goal? End by January 1st, so the transfer portal and coaching changes don’t get so messy.

Potential Solutions and Compromises

Of course, Lanning’s idea isn’t without its headaches. Big events like the New Year’s Six bowl games, the Army vs. Navy game, and conference championships would all need a second look.

Maybe every team could play in Week 0. Or maybe it’s time to rethink when conference championship weekend actually happens.

Reimagining the Postseason Schedule

One compromise could be rotating the semifinals and national championship game among the New Year’s Six bowl games. Some folks think ending with the national championship at the Rose Bowl on January 1st would be perfect.

Another option? Move the CFP semifinals back to New Year’s Day, like the old four-team format. That way, quarterfinals could happen on campus and the season would still wrap up in early January.

Conclusion

Dan Lanning’s push for a January 1st season end has kicked off a lively debate about how the College Football Playoff schedule should look. He’s made some solid points about why the system could use a refresh to better serve players and coaches.

Of course, making big changes is never simple. Still, it feels like a conversation that’s overdue. If you want to dig into the details of Lanning’s proposals or see how the current CFP schedule stacks up, check out the full article on Sports Illustrated.