Florida Says It Has 2 Starting QBs as Dallas Wilson Returns Full Go

Q: With coaches demanding calendar changes, how soon could a 24-team playoff replace conference championship games?

A 24-team College Football Playoff could replace conference championship games as soon as the 2027 season, but only if the sport’s power brokers agree on a new format by Dec. 1, 2026. If that deadline slips, the earliest realistic start moves to 2028. That timeline matches the broader push from coaches such as Jon Sumrall, who have argued the current calendar is unworkable when coaching changes, the transfer portal and playoff preparation collide. The American Football Coaches Association has formally backed a larger playoff, the removal of conference title games and an earlier end to the season, reflecting growing pressure from the coaching profession for a cleaner schedule. The main obstacle is not logistics but politics and money inside the sport. The Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 have shown support for a 24-team model, but the SEC remains the key holdout, preferring a smaller field and wary of giving up the revenue and prestige tied to its championship game. The SEC title game alone is viewed as a major financial asset, so any expanded playoff would need to prove it can replace that value. Under the proposed 24-team format, conference championship weekend would effectively become the opening weekend of the playoff, likely requiring the regular season to start earlier and end by late November. So the answer is soon, but only if the SEC and Big Ten align quickly. Right now, 2027 is possible, not guaranteed.

3 articles · Updated · Gainesville Sun · Jul 22

Sept. 5 remains Florida's opener, but Jon Sumrall said the Gators still have "two starting QBs" and may not name either Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. until just before game time.
Philo enters camp with scheme familiarity under coordinator Buster Faulkner, while Jones boosted his case in spring with leadership and deep-ball ability; Sumrall said consistency, decision-making and locker-room support will decide it.
Dallas Wilson, a 6-foot-3, 218-pound redshirt freshman, is back from the foot injury that limited him to four games in 2025, with Sumrall saying he is full go and posting strong speed numbers.
Up front, Florida is still mixing combinations to replace 3 offensive-line starters, though Sumrall said the group made notable summer strength gains after he was initially "very underwhelmed" by its power.