12-game football seasons

[ST_Lawson]

If approved (seems likely at this point), it will mean that teams can play 12 regular-season games every year: https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... nning-2026

Currently, it's only certain years, due to certain quirks of the schedule. A few examples, last year and this coming year are both 12-game seasons. In the past, 2019, as well as 2013 and 2014 were also 12-game seasons.
In 13 and 14, we added an extra FBS game (Minnesota and UNLV in 13, Wisconsin and Northwestern in 14). 2019 we only had one FBS game (Colorado State), but also had three H&H series that we had to fit in (North Alabama, Montana State, and Tennessee Tech). Last year and this year are both "extra FBS" seasons, with NIU and Indiana last year, then Illinois and Northwestern this coming season.

So, do you think that with the extra game we'll mostly do an extra FBS game every year (for the extra money), or try to scheduling more H&H games with Illinois State (or SIU/UNI)?

Thoughts?

[rocki]

While I would love to see them keep the ISUred game, I would think at this point we couldn't afford to pass on a money game.

[ST_Lawson]

While I would love to see them keep the ISUred game, I would think at this point we couldn't afford to pass on a money game.

 

I'm hoping with the extra game, ISU can fit a H&H with us in their schedule more often.
From our side, I'd love to see those 4 OOC games be an easy one at home (nearby D2 or non-scholarship FCS), part of H&H with ISU, then two FBS games.
If not H&H with ISU, then maybe SIU or UNI, and if not that, then a second fairly easy home game.

[Western_101]

While I would love to see them keep the ISUred game, I would think at this point we couldn't afford to pass on a money game.


 

I'm hoping with the extra game, ISU can fit a H&H with us in their schedule more often.
From our side, I'd love to see those 4 OOC games be an easy one at home (nearby D2 or non-scholarship FCS), part of H&H with ISU, then two FBS games.
If not H&H with ISU, then maybe SIU or UNI, and if not that, then a second fairly easy home game.

 

Generally speaking my views align with Lawson. I used to be a semi-frequent contributor on the  AGS board now two iterations ago. Lawson, does a nice job representing Western. I don't think he's ever fell for troll bait or lost his even kealed temperament. I'd go so far as to say he's a calming influence on the overall tone, and been a steading presence. He makes our University look good. Honestly, how often do we all paint a University either bad or good based upon a few encounters with a particular fan base. 

[ST_Lawson]

Permanent 12-game FCS season has been approved by the NCAA, starting in 2026.

Currently we have 2 OOC games scheduled for '26, FBS game at Wisconsin, and home against Morehead State (they're in the OVC for olympic sports, but for football they're non-scholarship Pioneer League...so it's like playing Valpo or Drake). So, it looks like we have two more spots to fill in our non-conference schedule...how about another FBS and the start of a H&H against Illinois State?

[wiu712]

Permanent 12-game FCS season has been approved by the NCAA, starting in 2026.


 

Will the season be starting earlier, ending later, or will the usual BYE WEEK be eliminated to allow for this 12th game ???
 

[ST_Lawson]

Permanent 12-game FCS season has been approved by the NCAA, starting in 2026.



 

Will the season be starting earlier, ending later, or will the usual BYE WEEK be eliminated to allow for this 12th game ???
 

 

I believe what used to be "Week Zero" is now "Week 1". They'd been doing an "FCS Kickoff" game (this year it's Mercer vs UC Davis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FCS_Kickoff) and a few FBS games every year (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Week_0), but now it's essentially open to any team that wants to play that weekend. Everyone still gets a bye week, and the playoffs start at the same time.

In the past, Week 1 started the Thursday-Saturday immediately before Labor Day, but starting in 2026, Week 1 starts the weekend before that and there won't be a "Week Zero" game.
In 2026, the season will start the weekend of August 27-28.