College football overtime rules have their own features that we want to tell you about in this post. Let's start with the fact that they have alternating possessions. This means that each team that takes part in the match gets the right to possession from the opponent's 25-yard line. Additionally, overtime rules in college football imply no time limits. Players are given unlimited time to score.
Another feature of college football is multiple overtimes. If the number of scores remains the same at the end of the first overtime, the teams must play one more period. The game continues until a winner is determined. Finally, the rules provide for so-called two-point conversions. Players try their best to realize them when the third overtime begins.
Two-point conversions that are typical for the third overtime were a significant change in the rules. Their main goal is to prevent very long matches. They made the game even more exciting. As for the rest of the overtime features, we talk about them in detail below. If you want to understand this issue well, we recommend that you read our post to the end. It contains a lot of useful info for you.
How College Football Overtime Works
So, how does college football overtime work? You'll find the answer to this question here. First of all, we'll introduce you to the basics of the rules. Right after that, you'll learn about recent rule changes and what impact they've had on the game.
The Basics of Overtime in College Football
The start of any overtime is a coin toss. This is necessary to determine the team for the first possession. The toss is always declared by the captain of the visiting team. The winner must decide whether the team will play defense or offense. The field side can be chosen as well.
According to the current college football overtime rules, the losing team is forced to accept an alternative decision. However, they can choose first in the second overtime. Next, both teams will make decisions alternately. This ensures fairness of possessions.
In the first and second overtimes, play begins from the opponent's 25-yard line. Offensive players are given a choice where to place the ball. They can do it along the line of scrimmage. An alternative option is between the hash marks.
Timeouts are allowed between overtimes. A team can lose the ball for various reasons. For example, this can happen in a situation where players fail to score. Starting from the second overtime, players must go for two. In the third period, only two-point conversions are possible.
Recent Rule Changes and Their Impact
Many experts agree that mandatory two-point conversions have become a very significant change in the rules. Here's what impact they had on the game:
- Increase in the risk. Two-point conversions made matches more unpredictable. Due to this, the work of coaches has become more difficult. Before each attempt, they must make decisions that often determine the outcome of the game.
- Reducing the duration of the game. While this doesn't always happen, two-point conversions can make matches shorter in time. This prevents long games that can be very tiring for players. On the other hand, most fans like these types of matches.
- Making the game more aggressive. Mandatory two-point conversions always carry an increased risk. Teams try to avoid it in every possible way. Therefore, the aggressiveness of the game increases and the players want to prevent overtimes.
Historical Perspective on College Overtime
You already know how many OT in college football and how they work. It's time to delve a little into history. Let's find out when overtimes were introduced and which of them became record-breaking. This info will help you learn even more interesting facts about your favorite game.
When Overtime Was Introduced
It's hard to believe, but there were no overtime games in college football until 1996. Many games ended in a draw. This caused dissatisfaction among lots of fans. They were echoed by some professionals. As a result, the rules were changed and overtimes were added to the game.
Initially, the rules didn't include mandatory two-point conversions. The situation changed in 2019. Since then, two-point conversions have become a requirement for a third overtime. This made the games more exciting and less predictable.
Most OT in college football prevent tie matches. In this respect, they're no different from professional leagues. In fact, overtimes were added to the rules to resolve controversial game situations effectively. They more or less cope with their main goal.
Record-Breaking Overtime Games
- Illinois vs. Penn State. This epic football battle that took place in 2021 had 9 overtimes. The large number of additional periods made it the longest game in FBS history. The match ended with a 20-18 victory for Illinois. Although the game left both teams exhausted, their fans were delighted.
- Georgia Tech vs. Georgia. In 2024, the game between these two teams turned into a real thriller with 8 overtimes. The victory went to the Bulldogs. The final score was 44-42. It was a battle that fans of both teams will remember for a long time.
- LSU vs. Texas A&M. This game, which took place in 2018, had 7 overtimes. Ultimately, the Aggies managed to pull ahead and finish the game with a score of 74-72. The victory was achieved with great difficulty because their opponents didn't give them a second of peace.
- Pittsburgh vs. Toledo. This is a 2024 game that went to 6 overtimes. Toledo emerged victorious after a grueling battle that left everyone exhausted. Its players were ahead of their opponents by 2 points. At the end of the match, the overall score was 48-46.
- Arkansas vs. Tennessee. Another game with 6 overtimes that happened early this century. In 2002 to be exact. After a tough battle, the Volunteers got 3 scores which gave them the victory. It remains to add that the score of the game was 41-38.
Overtimes aren't always remembered by fans because of their number. Let's take for example the Army vs. Navy Game match that took place in 2018. During the triple-overtime football battle, Blake Wilson, who was the kicker for the Army, managed to miss 3 consecutive extra points. Despite his mistakes, the team won.
No less remarkable was the Boise State vs. Oklahoma game that you could watch in 2007. This match became famous for the innovative play that was shown in its overtime. The Boise State surprised fans with tricks known as the Statue of Liberty and a hook-and-ladder. They helped the team achieve a confident victory over Oklahoma.
Strategies for College Football Overtime
By now, questions like "How does football overtime work?" should no longer cause you confusion. Still, you may have a vague idea of ​​what teams do to win in additional periods. Below, we'll briefly introduce you to some of the features of common offensive and defensive strategies.
Offensive Strategies in OT
During overtimes, teams in possession of the ball strive to score a touchdown. If this isn't possible, the priority shifts to the field goal. Under favorable circumstances, it can provide them with a quick victory and allow them to avoid numerous additional periods.
Typically, the game itself proceeds according to several scenarios. Teams either play as aggressively as possible or try to control the ball. Aggressive play is aimed at quickly achieving the desired results. On the contrary, control of the ball implies avoiding risks.
Clock management is also an important part of overtime strategies. Players must always remember the play clock. Unnecessary delays aren't allowed. Each of them significantly reduces the scoring chances and makes it more difficult to win.
Defensive Adjustments for Overtime
The main goal of teams that are forced to defend is to prevent scoring by their opponents. To do this, they use different techniques. The most common ones are probably stopping runs and pressuring quarterbacks. When done properly, both strategies produce good results.
In general, defending teams must quickly adapt to the opponent's offensive strategies. Players who coordinate defense must recognize formations fast and make adjustments to the game. This is a critical moment which the outcome of the match often depends on.
A crucial aspect of playing defense is the mental abilities of the players as well. Any overtime period is always a big emotional burden. If the players make one mistake, the game is lost. For this reason, self-control matters.
Comparisons Between College and NFL Overtime
Knowing the difference between college and NFL overtime rules is a point that no fan should overlook. This is especially true for possessions and sudden death. If you understand these issues, you'll have a better sense of the pace of the games and see what is happening on the field.
Possession Rules
In the NFL, the teams that win the toss can choose from 2 options. Quite often, they prefer to receive the ball. The alternative is to defer to the second half.
When the teams that gain possession of the ball score a touchdown, play stops and a winner is declared. In the event of a field goal, their opponents gain possession. The game continues.
According to college overtime rules, both teams participating in the game have the right to possession. This is called a guaranteed possession. It makes the game fairer.
In college football, there is one more interesting rule. The teams in possession of the ball begin the game from the opponent's 25-yard line. This is always worth remembering.
Differences in Sudden Death Scenarios
In terms of sudden death, the key difference between the NFL and college football is how possession of the ball is determined. In the National Football League, overtime begins with a coin toss. When one of the teams wins and chooses possession, it has a chance to score.
Harsh sudden death rules mean a team only needs to score a touchdown or a field goal to win. If they fail to do this, the opponents take possession of the ball. The chance to score is provided to them. Whether they win or not, depends on their skills and the overall game situation.
It's worth noting that some experts and pro players have an extremely negative attitude towards the coin toss. They think it's not a very fair way to determine possession. This opinion is justified by the fact that the team that first takes possession has too great an advantage over opponents.
In college football, a team is entitled to at least one possession. Players take turns in possession of the ball and begin play at the opponent's 25-yard line. During the first additional period, teams aim to get an extra kick after scoring a touchdown.
Starting with subsequent overtimes, the players' priority goal becomes the so-called two-point conversions. A decision on sudden death play is made provided that the score remains equal after multiple overtimes. Just like in the NFL, this type of play allows teams to avoid tied games.
Conclusion
In college football, overtimes became a fixture in 1996. The rules were changed to reduce the number of games that ended in a tie. It's difficult to say whether this goal was achieved. To establish the truth, it's necessary to analyze game statistics over a huge number of years.
Even so, we can claim with confidence that overtimes made the games more spectacular. When victory is at stake, players perform real miracles. On the football fields, epic battles unfold. Their participants strive to gain the upper hand over opponents by all means available to them.
Unlike the NFL, college football overtimes are often fairer. And all because teams are given equal opportunities to win. This is possible due to guaranteed possessions. They equalize the players' chances and don't put them in rigid limits as it happens in sudden death plays.
Maybe someday the overtime rules will change again. For now, we recommend that you simply remember their basic principles. They'll be useful to you for a deeper understanding of the game. Among others, this can help you better predict the outcome of matches when betting.
FAQ
What are the rules for overtime in college football?
In college football, we have guaranteed possessions for both teams. If during the additional period a team scores more points than their opponents, it's considered as the winner. Furthermore, multiple overtimes are possible. In the third overtime, teams begin to strive for two-point conversions.
What is the longest college football game ever played?
It's the Illinois vs. Penn State game. This match took place in 2021. Illinois had to endure nine overtimes before winning. In the last of them, the team took the lead and finished the match in their favor with a score of 20-18. Although the game was tense and difficult, many fans were wildly excited about it.
How long is college football halftime?
Typically, it's 20 minutes. This time is enough for the players to regain their strength and discuss next steps. While they're resting, fans are usually entertained by cheerleaders. Sometimes, dance teams take to the field. In other words, the spectators aren't bored and have a great time.
