Lane Kiffin Criticizes Extended College Football Playoff Schedule
The College Football Playoff (CFP) system is changing again. The committee just released the postseason dates and bowl sites for the next two seasons.
The tournament will stick with a 12-team field in 2026. That news has already stirred up plenty of opinions, especially from LSU’s new head coach, Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin’s got some real concerns about the longer schedule. He worries it could hurt athletes and throw off the competitive balance of college football.
Let’s take a closer look at what the new schedule actually looks like, how people are reacting, and what it all might mean for the sport moving forward.
Contents
New Schedule for the 2026 and 2027 Seasons
The CFP committee has locked in the dates for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship games for 2026 and 2027. These adjustments are meant to fit the 12-team format, but not everyone’s happy about it.
2026 Season Schedule
Here’s how the quarterfinals shake out for 2026:
- December 30 at the Fiesta Bowl
- January 1 at the Cotton, Peach, and Rose Bowls
The semifinals land on:
- January 14 at the Orange Bowl
- January 15 at the Sugar Bowl
The championship game? January 25 in Las Vegas. Not a bad spot for a title game, honestly.
2027 Season Schedule
For 2027, quarterfinals are lined up like this:
- December 31 at the Sugar Bowl
- January 1 at the Fiesta, Peach, and Rose Bowls
Semifinals will go down on:
- January 13 at the Orange Bowl
- January 14 at the Cotton Bowl
The championship game is set for January 24 at the Superdome in New Orleans. That should be a wild atmosphere.
Lane Kiffin’s Concerns
LSU’s Lane Kiffin hasn’t held back about his issues with the schedule. He jumped on social media to air his worries, especially about the long gap between games.
Kiffin’s baffled by the nearly month-long break between the semifinals and the championship. He doesn’t really see how that helps anyone—least of all the players.
Impact on Players
His main worry is the players’ well-being. He says the long break could mess with the rhythm teams work so hard to build.
There’s a risk that the quality of play drops, or that injuries go up, because players might not stay in peak shape with all that downtime. It’s not an easy problem to solve.
Competitive Balance
Kiffin also thinks the new schedule could mess with competitive balance. Some teams might use the extra rest to their advantage, while others could lose their edge.
That kind of unevenness could throw off the whole playoff system, at least in his view.
Committee’s Justification
CFP executive director Rich Clark has pushed back against the critics. He says the dates were picked to keep things fair, give fans a better experience, and make the whole process more consistent.
Fan Experience
One big reason for the new schedule is to make things more fun for fans. By spreading out the games, the committee hopes to keep the postseason exciting and give fans more chances to travel and enjoy the bowl atmosphere.
Consistency
Clark also stresses the need for predictability. The idea is to give teams, players, and fans a schedule they can count on, year after year.
Broader Implications for College Football
This new CFP schedule could shake up more than just the postseason. It might change how coaches handle player development, how fans engage, and how competitive the sport feels overall.
Player Development
The longer schedule means coaches have to figure out how to keep players focused and in shape during those big breaks. Training routines and practice schedules might need a rethink.
Fan Engagement
On the plus side, fans could get more chances to follow their teams and soak up the playoff buzz. More games, more excitement—who wouldn’t want that?
Competitiveness
But there’s still that lingering question about fairness. The long pauses might help some teams and hurt others. The committee will need to keep an eye on this and be ready to tweak things if the balance gets out of whack.
Conclusion
The new College Football Playoff schedule has gotten people talking. LSU’s Lane Kiffin, for one, hasn’t been shy about his criticism.
The committee says they’re trying to make things better for fans and stick to a consistent plan. Still, those longer breaks between games? It’s got folks worried about players and whether the competition stays fair.
If you’re curious about what Kiffin had to say or want the specifics on the new CFP schedule, check out the full article on Fox News.
