NCAA Football: Quick Guide to the Season, Playoffs and Top Teams
If you’re new to college football or just need a refresher, this guide gives you the essentials in plain English. We’ll cover when the games begin, how the postseason is set up, and what makes a team stand out. No jargon, just the facts you need to enjoy the action.
When does the NCAA football season run?
The regular season usually kicks off in late August or early September. Teams play once a week, mostly on Saturdays, and the schedule runs through the first weekend of December. That timing lets schools finish before final exams and gives enough room for the bowl season that follows.
Each team plays 12 games in the regular season – most of those are conference match‑ups, and a few are non‑conference games that can be regional rivals or big‑ticket events. The goal is to win as many games as possible to improve your ranking and earn a spot in the postseason.
How do bowl games and the playoffs work?
After the regular season ends, the top four teams in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings go head‑to‑head in two semifinal games. Those semifinals rotate among six major bowl games – the Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton, Fiesta, and Peach bowls. The winners of the semifinals meet in the CFP National Championship, usually on New Year’s Day.
Teams that don’t make the top four still get bowl invitations based on their record and conference tie‑ins. There are about 40 bowl games, ranging from the famous ones like the Rose Bowl to smaller regional contests. A bowl win can boost a program’s reputation and help with recruiting.
Conference championships are another big piece of the puzzle. Most conferences hold a title game in early December between the winners of their two divisions. Winning the conference can secure a better CFP ranking or a guaranteed bowl slot.
To keep track of the action, follow the weekly CFP rankings released on Tuesdays. Those rankings decide which teams get the playoff spots and influence the rest of the bowl placements.
In short, the NCAA football season starts in late summer, runs through early winter, and ends with a packed bowl season that culminates in the national championship. Knowing the schedule and how the playoffs work lets you follow the storylines, cheer for your favorite teams, and enjoy every Saturday showdown.
Why did the NCAA Football video game series end?
The NCAA Football video game series ended in 2013 due to the legal dispute between the NCAA and former student-athletes who claimed the NCAA infringed on their rights. The NCAA refused to recognize the players' right to profit off their likenesses and refused to renew its agreement with Electronic Arts, the producer of the game. As a result, the game was discontinued. EA then released the game under a new title, College Football, that did not feature the NCAA logo or real team names. The end of the NCAA Football series left a void in the gaming industry and disappointed millions of college football fans.