Overtime Rule Changes For NCAA Football

By Jordan Long

NCAA football is making tweaks to their overtime.  Prior to the 1996 season, if games were tied at the end of regulation the tie wasn’t broken and they just ended as a tie.  In 1996 the NCAA passed overtime rules.  If they won the coin toss, teams could choose to play offense or defense.   Whoever is on offense starts at the 25-yard line.  If they score a touchdown and hit the extra point, the other team has to do the same.  If still tied going into the 3^rd overtime, they must go for 2 when they score.  If they fail to move the ball, they can kick a field goal and force the other team to either match it or score a touchdown to win.  This keeps going until there is a winner.  That has now changed.

                The NCAA decided to adjust overtime for player safety.  Instead of going for 2 going into the 3^rd overtime, it will be the 2^nd overtime where teams are forced to go for two.  If teams are still tied after the 3^rd overtime, they will go on a shootout type format like the NHL going back and forth, meaning each team will have a play to score.  Whoever fails to do so loses the game. 

                The NCAA is trying to cut back on long overtime games.  The one that made the NCAA relook at the overtime rule occurred on November 24^th,  2018 when Texas A&M faced LSU.  That game lasted 7 overtimes.  Texas A&M outlasted LSU 74-72

                The NCAA is trying to end games sooner for player safety when the game goes into overtime.  That is all fine to try to make a dangerous game safer and not last as long. The changes are okay but what if the shootout style keeps going and lasts 4 or 5 rounds.  Then what?  Will they have to change them again?

                The NCAA is trying to fix something when they don’t have to.  Most overtime games don’t go that long but they are missing the easiest way to modify overtime.  Instead of waiting to go for 2 in the 2^nd overtime when a school scores a touchdown, do it right off the bat, meaning in the 1^st overtime and  no extra points kicked.  Make them go for 2.  Games might be done in the first overtime.  Not many schools can convert the 2-point conversion. 

                The NCAA may need to look at the overtime rule again.   For now, the NCAA thinks they have made a change that could prevent long games.  Time will only tell how this rule changes the way coaches call games in overtime.  Coaches might end up going for two during the first overtime possession.  This way games might be over faster when they are tied after regulation.