College football games are known for their exciting gameplay and passionate fans, but they’re also known for their lengthy durations.
However, a new rule change could make these games shorter starting in the 2023 season.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s changing and how it might impact the viewing experience.
1. Length of Games: College football games are known for their length, often lasting longer than other major American sports like the NFL, college basketball, NBA, and even baseball.
On average, a college football game takes about 3 hours and 22 minutes. However, this could change due to a new rule starting in the 2023 season.
2. Clock Management: The NCAA announced a rule change that could trim down game times. Starting in 2023, the clock will continue running after a team makes a first down, except when there’s under 2 minutes and 30 seconds left in a half.
This is different from the previous rule where the clock would stop after a first down until the referee signaled for it to start again. This small tweak could make college football games more comparable in length to NFL games.
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3. Halftime: Halftime in college football is typically 20 minutes long, allowing for performances by both schools’ bands. This is longer than the NFL’s 12-minute halftime break, though the Super Bowl extends it to 30 minutes for the halftime show.
4. Overtime: In college football, if a game is tied at the end of regulation, it goes into overtime. Unlike the NFL, college football doesn’t allow for ties after the first overtime.
Each team gets a possession starting from the opponent’s 25-yard line, and starting in the third overtime, teams must go for two-point conversions after scoring touchdowns.
Conclusion:
With the new rule change and the unique overtime rules in college football, fans can expect shorter but just as thrilling games. This change aims to enhance the viewing experience and keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle blows.