I have for several years thought something like this might work, at least on the D1 side.
Classes stay the same.
TOP 2 only from each region make the playoffs. These 16 teams receive a week off.
The first weekend after the regular season, all region 3rd and 4th place finishers play a “Bowl Game”. 3s host 4s. This is a one shot only game. Both teams are finished for the season after their Bowl Game. The next week the playoffs start with 16 teams.
Just my two cents.