Jeff Monken suggests moving Army-Navy Game to Thanksgiving weekend to aid College Football Playoff schedule
CBS Sports
by
Carter Bahns
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Jeff Monken, Army's head coach, has proposed moving the Army-Navy Game earlier in the college football schedule to help the College Football Playoff (CFP) start sooner and avoid late winter championship games. The game is currently held on the second Saturday of December, but Monken suggests shifting it to Thanksgiving weekend or conference championship week. This change could allow the CFP to begin a week earlier, potentially ending the season by January 1 instead of extending into late January.
The Army-Navy Game, known as "America's Game," has been held after conference championships since 2009, creating a unique scheduling challenge for the CFP. Monken argues that shortening the college football season to one semester and ending it in early January would be more appealing to fans and align better with NFL broadcast priorities. He also emphasizes the importance of protecting the game's tradition while adapting to modern scheduling needs.
However, moving the game from its current protected slot could face significant pushback. President Donald Trump previously expressed opposition to overlapping Army-Navy Game broadcasts with other football games, including the defunct LA Bowl, which aired shortly after the 2025 game. Monken suggests a compromise by giving the game a dedicated four-hour block during Thanksgiving weekend or on Friday/Saturday of that week.
The proposal highlights the tension between preserving tradition and adapting to demands for earlier playoff schedules. The Army-Navy Game's rich history, dating back to 1890, makes it a cultural cornerstone in college football. Monken's suggestion aims to balance this legacy with the growing desire for a more streamlined postseason schedule, potentially enhancing fan experience and avoiding winter weather challenges.
This shift could significantly impact the CFP schedule, reducing the lengthy layover between playoff rounds and bringing national championships earlier in the season. While the proposal faces potential resistance from stakeholders committed to the game's current timing, it reflects a broader trend toward reevaluating college football's postseason structure for fan convenience and competitive balance.
Verticals
sports
Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/23/2026