The American Football Coaches Association has stepped up with bold proposals to reshape the college football calendar—and if adopted, these changes could dramatically alter the way we experience the season. The AFCA is recommending the elimination of conference championship games and a revamped schedule that would see the College Football Playoff finish by the second Monday of each January.

While the AFCA doesn't hold direct authority over NCAA or CFP governance, its voice carries weight. The group's board and membership include FBS coaches who are intimately familiar with the grind of a long season. The proposals were publicly unveiled Tuesday after being discussed and adopted at an annual meeting last week.

"We have identified the length of the college football season as a critical issue that needs to be addressed," the AFCA stated. "As we modernize our game to better serve student-athletes, we have fallen short in structuring a season that concludes in a timely and sustainable way."

This isn't just about timing—it's about the well-being of student-athletes and the quality of competition. The current 12-team playoff field is expected to expand, and while the AFCA didn't endorse a specific number, they emphasized that "future playoff models should maximize the number of participants while honoring the proposed completion date."

To achieve that earlier finish, the AFCA is proposing several key adjustments: trimming scheduled bye weeks from two to one, requiring a minimum of six days between games, and—most notably—doing away with conference championship contests. They're also calling for a dedicated window for the Army-Navy game, while allowing flexibility for other games, including playoff matchups, to be played on the same day outside that window.

"Structuring the season in this way will better support student-athletes by more closely matching the academic calendar and aligning with the single transfer portal window," the AFCA explained. "It also elevates the quality of play during the most meaningful stretch of the season by removing unnecessary breaks and preserving competitive rhythm."

These proposals come on the heels of an NCAA committee recommendation last month for FBS teams to play a 12-game schedule over 14 weeks. For fans, this could mean a more streamlined, high-stakes postseason—and for players, a season that respects both their athletic and academic commitments.