[quote=@Eddie Brock]
College football programs also have spring exhibition games, usually the first-team offense against the first-team defense. Although they aren't usually until March/April, we could always fudge the numbers.
[/quote]

Might've started as foresight with the recent events? I mean, it's pretty clear things weren't very good last time with people busting things up and getting things started a little earlier might help get them actually finished. :p