Most college football teams play 12 regular-season games, with the potential for up to 15-17 total games depending on postseason appearances.
This number varies significantly across NCAA divisions, with successful teams earning additional games through conference championships, bowl invitations, and playoff opportunities.
Our guide examines regular season formats, championship opportunities, bowl selections, division-specific variations, and factors that influence total game counts throughout the season for a college football team.
How Many Regular Season Games Are In College Football?
Most FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) teams play 12 regular-season games from late August through late November.
FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) teams typically schedule 11 regular-season games to accommodate their expanded playoff format.
The Hawaii Exemption allows teams playing games in Hawaii or against Hawaiian teams to add a 13th regular-season game to offset travel expenses and logistical challenges.
Independent programs like Notre Dame create their 12-game schedules without conference obligations, providing flexibility in opponent selection and travel arrangements.
How Conference Championships Add To College Football Season Games
Power Five and Group of Five conferences hold championship games in early December, adding one extra contest for qualifying teams.
These games typically feature division winners or the top-performing teams based on conference standings, creating high-stakes matchups that determine automatic bowl bids and playoff positioning.
Teams reaching their conference championship increase their total to 13 games before any bowl or playoff consideration, though not all conferences hold title games.
How Bowl Games And Playoffs Affect Total Game Count
Ball games in college football refer to postseason matchups like bowl games and playoff contests played after the regular season.
Bowl-eligible teams with six or more wins receive invitations to approximately 40 bowl games, adding one additional contest to their season.
| Type | Games Added | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bowl Game | 1 | Invitation-based, 6+ wins required |
| CFP Semifinal + Final | 2 | Only top-ranked teams |
| 12-Team CFP Path | Up to 3 | First round, quarterfinal, semifinal, final |
The College Football Playoff creates opportunities for elite teams to play multiple postseason games, with semifinal participants playing two extra games and championship contenders adding a third.
The expanded 12-team format beginning in 2024-2025 allows playoff teams to compete in up to three additional games beyond their regular season.
How Game Counts Differ Across College Football Divisions
Different NCAA divisions follow distinct scheduling formats based on their competitive structures and playoff systems.
| Division | Regular Season | Max Total Games |
|---|---|---|
| FBS | 12 | 15-17 |
| FCS | 11 | 16 |
| Division II | 10-11 | 14 |
| Division III | 10-11 | 15 |
FBS teams play the most regular-season games while balancing television commitments and academic calendars.
FCS programs play fewer regular-season contests but participate in a 24-team playoff that can extend seasons significantly.
Division II and III schools typically play 10-11 regular-season games with smaller playoff brackets that limit total game exposure.
How Independent Teams Schedule College Football Games
Independent teams operate outside traditional conference structures, creating unique scheduling challenges and opportunities.
Notre Dame, Army, Navy, UConn, and UMass arrange all games individually rather than following predetermined conference schedules.
These programs typically target 12 regular-season games but may adjust based on rivalry commitments, television contracts, or travel considerations.
Independent teams cannot participate in conference championships but remain eligible for bowl games and College Football Playoff selection based on records and strength of schedule.
External Factors That Affect College Football Season Game Totals
Weather cancellations, health concerns, and travel disruptions can significantly reduce total game counts for individual teams or entire conferences.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 provided the most dramatic example, with some teams completing seasons with only 6-8 games while others managed abbreviated 10-game schedules.
Conferences implemented emergency protocols, pod scheduling systems, and adjusted championship requirements to maintain competitive integrity during unprecedented circumstances.
Key Dates & Season Timeline Of College Football
College football follows a structured timeline that maximises television exposure while accommodating academic schedules.
| Phase | Typical Timeframe | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Season Kickoff | Late August – Early September | Opening weekend with non-conference matchups |
| Regular Season | September – Late November | Weekly games, including conference schedules |
| Rivalry Week | Final Weekend of November | High-profile matchups and traditional rivalries |
| Conference Championships | Early December | Title games determining playoff or bowl eligibility |
| Bowl Games Begin | Mid-December | Non-playoff postseason games across conferences |
| College Football Playoff | Late December – Early January | Semifinals and National Championship game |
Regular-season games span late August through late November, with rivalry games concentrated on the final weekend.
Conference championships occur in early December, followed by bowl season and playoff games from mid-December through early January.
Historical College Football Schedule Changes
College football scheduling has evolved dramatically over the decades, reflecting changing television demands, conference alignments, and competitive balance concerns.
The sport expanded from 10-game seasons in the 1970s to 11 games in the 1980s before settling on the current 12-game format in 2006.
Bowl game proliferation increased postseason opportunities, while the College Football Playoff replaced the Bowl Championship Series in 2014.
Conference realignment continues to reshape traditional rivalries and geographic divisions, forcing scheduling adaptations that prioritise television revenue over historical matchups.
Future of College Football Season – Can We Expect More Games Ahead?
The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff beginning in 2024-2025 will allow championship teams to play up to 17 total games, representing the longest possible seasons in college football history.
Conference realignment continues affecting scheduling as traditional rivalries face geographic challenges and television contracts drive decision-making.
Increased nationally-televised games may alter bye week placement, rivalry game timing, and overall season structure as conferences balance competitive integrity with financial considerations.
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Conclusion: Most College Football Teams Play 12 to 17 Games
College football teams typically play 12 regular-season games, but total counts vary significantly based on postseason success and division level.
FBS teams can reach 15-17 games through conference championships, bowl appearances, and playoff participation, while FCS teams may play up to 16 games through their expanded playoff format.
Understanding these variations helps fans track team progress, postseason qualification requirements, and student-athlete commitments.
As the sport evolves through playoff expansion and conference realignment, game totals may increase for elite programs while maintaining traditional structures for most teams.
FAQs
Most FBS college football teams typically play 12 regular-season games, including a mix of conference and non-conference opponents.
A team can play up to 15–17 games total, including conference championships, bowl games, and the College Football Playoff.
No, the number of games differs by division. FBS teams play more than most FCS or Division II programs.
The Hawaii exemption lets teams playing in Hawaii schedule a 13th regular-season game to help offset travel costs.
In 2020, the pandemic drastically reduced schedules. Many teams played only 6 to 8 games or were cancelled altogether.
