12. Scheduling: standardize schedules, reward tough non-conference games
← All 18 proposals · Outside proposals
Insiders (sourced entries)
Mentioned
Curt Cignetti (2025): standardize schedules.
“We need to standardize the schedule across the board if we want to have objective criteria for who should be in the playoff and who shouldn't, and we need to take the decision making off the (CFP) Committee to some degree.”
At Big Ten media days, Cignetti defended Indiana's soft nonconference schedule by saying it had adopted the SEC's scheduling philosophy. He proposed that every Power Four league play nine conference games, with automatic bids and conference play-in games (3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5) on championship weekend.
Mentioned
Tony Petitti (2025): the playoff shouldn't discourage tough non-conference games.
“Also, the playoff format should not function as a disincentive to schedule tough, nonconference games.”
Petitti said any postseason format should keep as many teams alive as long as possible and shouldn't discourage teams from scheduling tough nonconference games.
Mentioned
Brian Kelly (2025): LSU wants Big Ten opponents.
“We want to play Big Ten schools.”
Leaving the SEC spring meetings, Kelly said SEC coaches want nine conference games plus an annual regular-season crossover with the Big Ten, noting the Big Ten had won the last two national titles.
Mentioned
Greg Sankey (2025): stay out, facilitate or mandate SEC–Big Ten games.
“There are three ways we can go — stay out of it, facilitate more of it or create a mandate.”
On SEC-Big Ten scheduling, Sankey laid out three options: stay out of it, facilitate more games, or mandate them. He called a mandate incredibly difficult.
From outside the sport
Outside proposals
Full reform plans from fans, writers and advocacy sites, not insiders. Kept separate from the sourced insider entries above.
