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College football will finally get a 14‑game regular season, but the move is far from straightforward

By AP News – September 18, 2023

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has officially approved a rule that will allow all Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams to play 14 regular‑season games in 2024. The change, announced on Tuesday, is the first time the governing body has lifted the 13‑game cap that had been in place for the previous 12 years. While the headline is simple, the implications of the decision ripple through the entire ecosystem of college football, from scheduling logistics to player health and financial economics.

The decision in a nutshell

The NCAA’s football policy committee met in a closed‑door session last week and voted 6‑2 in favor of increasing the maximum number of games a FBS team can schedule to 14. The proposal also clarifies that the new cap will not affect the 12‑game limit that the College Football Playoff (CFP) committees must observe when selecting teams for the four‑team postseason. The change will take effect for the 2024 season, with the committee indicating that the rule will be reevaluated after that year.

The NCAA’s press release stated: “This revision will give schools and conferences greater flexibility to schedule high‑profile matchups and will create new revenue‑generating opportunities for all parties involved.” The decision came after the NCAA’s 2021 ruling that allowed a 13‑game schedule in light of the COVID‑19 pandemic—a temporary lift that many programs now view as a taste of what might become permanent.

How it will work on the field

Under the new rule, a FBS team could theoretically play 14 games in a regular season. For the majority of programs, the most common scenario will be to add one additional non‑conference game to the schedule, often a “money‑game” against a high‑profile opponent that can generate a substantial payout. For a handful of teams, the additional game could be an intra‑conference matchup or a bowl game that would be counted as part of the 14‑game total, though the CFP’s 12‑game rule still applies for playoff qualification.

One of the key logistical questions the NCAA will need to address is how the 14th game will fit into a season that already includes a 12‑week regular season, a possible conference championship game, and bowl play. The committee suggested that schools could extend the season by a week or insert a bye week earlier in the schedule to maintain player rest periods. The NCAA also emphasized that the additional game should not compromise the health and safety of student‑athletes; the NCAA will keep the existing guidelines that require a certain amount of rest between games.

Financial motivations and concerns

The most obvious driver behind the rule change is money. Every extra game generates revenue for both the schools and the conferences, particularly if the game is played at a neutral site or against a national power that can draw large crowds and broadcast audiences. The NCAA estimated that the average payout for a single game can range from $5 million to over $15 million, depending on the matchup. In a 14‑game season, that additional revenue can be critical for athletic departments that rely on football to fund other sports programs.

College football’s economics have already become a national conversation. Several schools, especially those in mid‑major conferences like the American Athletic Conference (AAC) and Conference USA, have expressed enthusiasm. “We’re excited about the potential to schedule more high‑profile games and to keep our athletic budgets afloat,” said a spokesperson from the AAC. In the SEC, the decision was met with a more mixed reaction, with some powerhouses seeing the rule as a way to broaden their national exposure and others worried about over‑commercializing the sport.

However, critics are quick to point out that more games can also mean more injuries. A recent study from the American Journal of Sports Medicine highlighted that the risk of concussions and musculoskeletal injuries rises when players participate in more games. The NCAA acknowledges these concerns and has said it will monitor injury data closely. The association’s policy statement emphasizes the need for “adequate rest periods” and has reiterated the importance of the existing “rest day” requirements for bowl games.

Reactions from the big names

The decision was met with a chorus of responses from coaches, players, and fans. Former NFL player and current head coach of the University of Tennessee, Brian Kelly, said, “I think it’s a good step. The program has always been able to field an amazing team, and now we can bring in more revenue without sacrificing competitiveness.” In contrast, the head coach of a mid‑major program, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked, “The extra game is a great idea on paper, but the reality of scheduling, travel, and player fatigue is something we will have to think through carefully.”

The NCAA’s decision also received attention from the CFP committee. While the committee has no control over the regular season’s game count, the possibility of teams scheduling more games could indirectly influence rankings, especially as the committee weighs strength of schedule. “We’re aware of the potential ripple effects,” said a spokesperson for the CFP, “but the committee’s focus remains on determining the best teams to compete for the national title.”

Looking ahead

The NCAA’s move comes at a time when college football is wrestling with larger systemic issues—such as player compensation, conference realignment, and the ongoing debate over the balance between athletics and academics. The decision to increase the game count is a reminder that financial considerations often shape the sport’s evolution.

The rule will take effect in the 2024 season, and the NCAA intends to review the impacts after that year. The league has also announced that it will gather data on injuries, revenue, and scheduling efficiency to assess whether the rule meets its stated goals. For now, college football fans can expect an extra high‑stakes game on the calendar, and schools will be scrambling to negotiate contracts that can make the most of the new opportunity.

Whether the 14‑game season is a boon or a burden will depend on how well the college football community can manage the increased demands on players, coaches, and administrators. The conversation that started on Tuesday will undoubtedly continue throughout the next season, with both advocates and skeptics weighing in on a rule that could reshape the game for years to come.