Sankey's Crusade for a Common Kickoff: A Last Stand for Tradition
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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is calling for an end to the 'waiver nonsense' of Week Zero, arguing that college football needs a uniform start date to maintain competitive integrity.
In my view, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is fighting a losing battle against the tide of chaos. His push for a uniform start to the college football season isn't just about scheduling; it's a desperate attempt to salvage the sport's traditional rhythm before the expanded playoff and modern scheduling whims completely erase the very concept of a 'season opener.'
As Sports Illustrated first reported, Sankey has made his position clear: he wants every team in college football to kick off on the same weekend. Speaking to Dawg Post in November, Sankey pointed out that professional, amateur, and even Little Leagues typically avoid having teams start on disparate dates. He argued that "Opening Day" should mean exactly that—a common start date for the entire field.
Sankey's primary target is the NCAA's practice of granting waivers for "Week Zero" games. Sports Illustrated notes that seven Power Four conference members—Florida State, Stanford, USC, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Texas Christian, and Virginia—are starting their seasons before the rest of the pack this year. Sankey told Dawg Post that this creates a "competitive impact" and described the pursuit of these waivers as "nonsense" that should be stopped.
However, the Commissioner isn't calling for a total blackout of early action. He admitted to Dawg Post that a few exceptions make sense, specifically citing the matchup between North Carolina and TCU in Dublin, Ireland, as a "neat" concept that he has personally explored.
There is some structural movement in Sankey's favor. Sports Illustrated reports that the NCAA adopted new bylaws earlier this year that shift the calendar earlier into August, a move likely to reduce the frequency of Week Zero games. While Sankey expects to hear complaints regarding the August heat, he remains steadfast in his belief that the conversation must begin with ending the constant waiver process. As he put it to Dawg Post, the sport shouldn't be in a position where some teams play and others don't during the opening week.