A day after the NFL made some changes, college football is also making some changes of its own.
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved four new rule changes on Thursday for the 2021 season, with the overtime rules most notably being impacted.
Per the new rules, teams will now be required to go for a 2-point conversion in the second overtime period. If both teams are still tied after the second overtime, they will engage in a 2-point conversion shootout, a la how NHL games are decided.
Last year, the rules were adjusted to force teams into a 2-point shootout starting with the fifth overtime while teams were required to go for 2-point conversions beginning in the third overtime.
While fans often laud college football for its style of overtime, the NCAA has been making tweaks to it after criticism that multi-overtime games put players in position for higher risk of injury.
In addition to the overtime changes, the Player Rules Oversight Panel also approved expanding the team sideline between the 20-yard lines as opposed to the 25-yard lines (last year was the15-yard lines in order to stay socially distant).
The NCAA is also cracking down on players faking injuries. Schools and conferences will now have the ability to request a postgame video review from the NCAA secretary rules editor and/or national coordinator of officials if it believes a faux injury occurred.
Officials will also shift greater focus on taunting penalties, uniform violations and coaches who step onto the field or exit the team area to argue calls with referees.
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