Can't Wait For Saturday Apparently, college football about to make the right move with two open weeks

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Apr. 17—***

How do we know Illinois coach Bret Bielema favors two open weeks during the season? Easy, in his first five years in Champaign-Urbana, he has taken advantage of every opportunity to play in Week 0.

His first game as coach at Illinois in 2021 was played in late August against Nebraska. His team won and later enjoyed two open weeks.

Now, the NCAA Football Oversight Committee has recommended a standard start for the season before Labor Day weekend. The plan, if passed by the Division I Cabinet in June, will start with the 2027 season.

If enacted, schools will have 14 weeks to schedule 12 games, meaning two open weeks for every program.

There is really no downside to the move, which figures to receive overwhelming endorsements from the coaches, including Bielema.

Currently, Illinois has three nonconference games scheduled in 2027, Aug. 28 against Eastern Illinois, Sept. 11 against Delaware and a TBA for a game against Missouri. The site isn't locked in for that one.

Illinois has five Big Ten home games in 2027. Playing the Tigers on a neutral field in Kansas City or St. Louis will be easier to justify with the expanded calendar.

BTW, Sportswriters like two open weeks as much as the players and coaches. Gives us another chance to watch a college game in another part of the country. So thanks to the NCAA for that.

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