The overtime period in college football could soon be seeing massive changes.

On Friday, the NCAA Football Rules Committee has recommended the following overtime changes for the upcoming college football season.

If a game reaches the second overtime, teams would be required to attempt a two-point conversion after a touchdown. If the game reaches a third overtime period, instead of moving the ball back to the 25-yard line to start the next period, teams will be required to alternate two-point plays.

Why make this change?

To reduce the number of plays for players to have to see the field following regulation.

Keep in mind, this rule has not yet been voted on and made official. The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel is set to meet to vote on this rule on April 22.

These rules are also under consideration and will be voted on come April 22:

Team area

Committee members supported the team area being permanently extended to the 20-yard lines, starting in 2021.

Currently, the rule says the team area extends to the 25-yard lines, but this area was expanded to the 15-yard lines last season to create more spacing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unsportsmanlike tactics

In an editorial change to the rules book, video board and lighting system operators cannot create any distraction that obstructs play.

Feigning injuries

This topic has been thoroughly debated in recent years by the committee. Most of the discussion centers around teams using the tactic to feign an injury to slow down the opposition’s momentum.

The rules committee is proposing a framework to allow a school or conference to request a postgame video review about questionable actions through the NCAA secretary-rules editor/national coordinator of officials for football.

Blocking below the waist

Committee members discussed the rules regarding blocking below the waist and strongly considered limiting blocking below the waist to inside the tackle box.

Before making changes, the committee is planning a thorough review of injury data for the 2021 season to determine its next steps.

Points of emphasis

  • For the 2021 season, it will be a point of emphasis for officials to penalize any taunting action directed toward an opponent. Committee members think these actions reflect poorly on the game and can lead to unnecessary confrontations.
  • Officials will be alert to players who are significantly in violation of the uniform rules, and when discovered will send the player out of the game to correct the issue. This will include specifically the pants, jerseys and T-shirts.
  • Coaches should not enter the field of play or leave the team area to debate officiating decisions. Those who do so will have committed an automatic unsportsmanlike conduct foul.