CFB Newsletter: The Great Transfer Portal Window Debate
Two transfer periods will soon become one. But when will it be?
Welcome to the College Football Newsletter, where the transfer portal is changing (again). According to Ross Dellenger at Yahoo Sports, the NCAA committee in charge of scheduling the portal windows voted in favor of a single 10-day transfer window in January that almost aligns with the end of bowl games. “Almost” is doing some heavy lifting, because the semifinals and National Championship will be happening during the proposed transfer window. Ryan Day doesn’t like it, which makes sense: He thinks he’ll already be busy at that time of year.
While a single transfer portal window sounds less complicated than two, the action taking place just as we’re about to define a national champion does bring up a few questions
The remaining teams aren’t necessarily at a disadvantage (because they wouldn't be in the running otherwise), but does this allow other teams to improve while the teams still playing stay put?
If only three games are in the transfer window, why not wait until a national champion is declared to start it?
The move isn’t official just yet, so things could change. Alex’s take:
I don’t have that strong a view of one portal window versus two. But if the easiest thing for the greatest number of players and coaches turns out to be a window that happens during the later rounds of the playoff, then the teams still playing playoff games should be made to take one for the team. Consider it a competitive balance tax on the best teams in the sport. It’s not “fair,” but what is?
Much more from Split Zone Duo this week
We have a loaded Week 4, and that means we have some great podcast episodes for you:
UCLA and Virginia Tech are looking for new coaches and some schools can already see the writing on the wall. Godfrey paid a visit to talk about five teams who might already be doomed to start over. Is Florida one of them? Yes.
This week’s Tasting Menu is extra savory, complete with Civil War, Apple Cup, and Michigan-Nebraska look-aheads, just to name several. Iowa-Rutgers is also there.
For this week’s Main Course presented by Modelo: Andy Johnson of The Shotgun Start joined the guys to talk about his Illinois fandom and about a potential playoff Illini team. And of course there was some Ryder Cup talk in there as well.
Over at CBS Sports, Richard explained how DJ Lagway’s offseason culminated in a career-worst performance against LSU — but there are signs for optimism still.
Also, eyes peeled: We’re planning to introduce a new series on the coaching carousel very shortly, with special episodes for subscribers.
It’s Modelo season
A word from our partner: The season has officially kicked off. College football season is Modelo season. If you’re listening to this right now, it means it’s time for a reward. So, reward your full-time fandom with an ice-cold Modelo, the official beer sponsor of the College Football Playoff.
Thanks for helping us get to 5,000 YouTube subscribers!
We reached that milestone on Thursday. Subscribe and get video clips of your favorite episodes and also some exclusives that we only put on YouTube. For example, you can watch Andy Johnson and Alex scold Richard when he forgets about Illinois’ multiple championships in football.
We’ll see you soon. Enjoy Week 4.