Scheduling in college football is typically organized by the athletic departments of individual colleges and universities, as well as various conference commissioners. Here's a breakdown of how the scheduling process works:

Athletic Directors and Coaches: Each college or university's athletic director, along with the head football coach, plays a crucial role in determining the schedule for their respective teams. They consider factors such as available dates, preferred opponents, and the need to balance home and away games.

Conference Commissioners: In major college football, teams are often part of conferences (e.g., SEC, ACC, Big Ten). Conference commissioners are responsible for coordinating conference schedules. They work with the athletic directors and coaches to create a conference schedule that meets the needs of all member schools.

Non-Conference Games: In addition to conference games, teams schedule non-conference games. Athletic directors and coaches negotiate with other schools, both within and outside their conference, to set up these matchups. Non-conference games are typically scheduled years in advance.

Television Networks: Television networks also play a significant role in scheduling. High-profile games, especially those involving nationally ranked teams, are often scheduled for prime time slots to maximize viewership and advertising revenue. Networks may have a say in which games are scheduled on their channels.

NCAA Rules: The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) provides guidelines and rules for scheduling college football games. These rules dictate factors like the length of the season, the maximum number of games, and regulations regarding open dates (bye weeks).

Traditional Rivalries: Many college football teams have long-standing rivalries with specific opponents. These rivalry games are typically scheduled on specific dates or as a part of a tradition that both teams and their fans hold dear.

Complex Scheduling Process: The scheduling process can be quite complex due to the various factors that need to be considered. Athletic directors, coaches, and conference commissioners often have to balance competitive considerations, travel logistics, revenue generation, and fan preferences.

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