How Many Bye Weeks in College Football? Exploring Why Teams Have Two Bye Weeks in the 2024 Season

College football teams get bye weeks every season, during which they do not need to play a game. This season, every team gets at least two bye weeks because of an interesting scheduling quirk.

An NCAA bylaw prohibits college football teams from playing their first game of the season before the Thursday before Labor Day. Since Labor Day came early this year, teams could start playing on August 29th. As a result, the first full Saturday of games came on August 31st.

This year, the season runs from August 31st until November 30th, meaning there are 14 Saturdays for teams to play their games. Every team must play 12 regular-season games, and as a result, they all have room for two bye weeks.

Do any teams have more than two bye weeks?

Because of some scheduling quirks, a few teams - including Florida State - have three bye weeks this season. Although teams could not start their seasons before August 29th this season, there are a few exceptions.

Hawaii and teams that play in Hawaii can play a week early. Additionally, FCS schools that play a non-conference opponent in a nationally televised game can start their seasons in Week 0. Lastly, college football teams can start their seasons a week early if that game is played in a foreign country.

For example, Florida State's first matchup of the season against Georgia Tech took place in Dublin, Ireland. So, the teams were permitted to play the game in Week 0. Since they started early, they were provided an extra open week.

What are the benefits of open weeks?

Open weeks allow college football schedulers to set up the season and have every team finish it at the same time. The regular season is supposed to end at the end of November and start in late August or early September, so it makes sense to have open weeks. However, it is also beneficial for the teams and players.

Most notably, open weeks allow players to rest and recover. Football is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world, and as a result, injuries pile up.

Players often play through injuries and do not give their bodies to heal. Having a few open weeks throughout the season gives players time to heal without worrying about letting their teams down.