What’s a college football epic without overtime? Some of the sport’s greatest contests have gone into that shadowy extra period, a time when the air gets thick and mistakes loom larger than before. It’s a thrilling spectacle that fans eagerly anticipate, where the stakes are high, and every play can change the course of history.
The allure of a decisive outcome
It’s what masses of American sports fans want. Rightly or wrongly, a significant portion of the country’s sports-crazed population views athletics as solely being a zero-sum game. There must be a winner. There must be a loser. Everything else is irrelevant. In college football, this philosophy is embraced wholeheartedly. The NCAA has crafted a system that ensures games are resolved decisively, eschewing the possibility of a tie.
With that, let’s dive into the rules and etiquette surrounding college football’s overtime periods in 2024.
Understanding college football’s overtime rules
College football’s overtime rules are distinct from those of the NFL, which allows for a 10-minute overtime period where both teams have a chance to possess the ball. If the team that starts with the ball scores, the other team must match or exceed that score. If the game remains tied after both teams have had their chance, it moves to sudden death.
In contrast, under the NCAA’s guidelines, both teams get a chance to possess the ball, but only one drive per overtime period. The first period is played like a regular quarter, albeit untimed and starting from the opponent’s 25-yard line. Teams can choose to kick a field goal or go for a touchdown. The second overtime mandates that teams must attempt a two-point conversion if they score a touchdown. From the third overtime onward, it’s a one-play, two-point attempt. This structure limits the number of plays, ensuring that games don’t drag on indefinitely.
The rules in detail
Here are all the college football overtime rules:
- Overtime begins with a coin toss to determine which team starts with the ball. The visiting team calls the toss. The winner can choose to play offense or defense first or select which side of the field to start on. There’s no deferral, and the losing team makes the remaining decision.
- In the first and second overtimes, play starts at the opponent’s 25-yard line, unless a penalty pushes the team back. The offense can place the ball anywhere along the line of scrimmage between the hash marks.
- Each team is allowed one timeout per overtime period, and these timeouts do not carry over.
- Teams retain possession until they fail to score, turn the ball over on downs, or commit a turnover.
- Starting from the second overtime, teams must go for two after a touchdown. In the third overtime, teams only attempt two-point conversions instead of full offensive drives.
A brief history of overtime in college football
College football’s overtime rules haven’t always looked like they do today. Until 1996, games could end in a tie, leaving fans unsatisfied and yearning for resolution. The NCAA recognized this issue and decided to implement overtime rules to create a more thrilling conclusion to games.
From 1996 to 2018, teams were given possession starting at their own 25-yard line, and they would continue trading possessions until a winner emerged. However, changes came in 2019, introducing the requirement for teams to attempt a two-point conversion starting in the third overtime. Then, in 2021, the NCAA made further adjustments by mandating that teams go for two starting in the second overtime and limiting the third and subsequent overtimes to one-play, two-point attempts.
Recent proposals for overtime rule changes
The most recent wave of overtime changes took place in 2021, when the NCAA aimed to shorten the duration of overtime periods. Since then, no significant adjustments have been made. The goal was to enhance the excitement while keeping the games from dragging on too long. The modifications, including the two-point conversion requirements and limiting the number of plays, have been well-received by fans and players alike.
But will there be more changes in the future? As the game evolves, so too might the rules surrounding overtime. The NCAA is always evaluating the impact of its regulations, and fan feedback plays a crucial role in shaping the future of college football.
Why overtime matters
Overtime is more than just a rule; it’s a defining moment in college football. It encapsulates the drama, the intensity, and the sheer unpredictability of the sport. Each play in overtime can become legendary, creating stories that resonate for years to come. Fans remember those nail-biting moments when their team clinched victory in the dying seconds or when an underdog pulled off a stunning upset.
As college football continues to grow in popularity, the allure of overtime remains a vital aspect of the game. It brings excitement, unpredictability, and a sense of closure that fans crave. So, the next time you find yourself watching a closely contested college football game, keep an eye on the clock. Overtime could be just around the corner, ready to deliver a thrilling conclusion that will be talked about long after the final whistle blows.
