The NCAA has made shortening overtime its mission since Texas A&M beat LSU 74-72 in a seven overtime game during the 2018 season. As exciting as that game was, it was long. More than 200 snaps were played, which is certainly not ideal for the players on the field.
So, how is the NCAA changing its overtime rules? Here's everything you need to know about the differences in overtime this season and how it compares to previous seasons.
MORE: How to watch 2021 SEC games online without cable
College football overtime rules
The NCAA amended its overtime rules in an attempt to lessen the number of plays run in an overtime period. Teams are now required to run a two-point conversion after a touchdown beginning in the second overtime period. Previously, that began in the third overtime period.
Additionally, teams will begin running alternating two-point conversion attempts if the game reaches a third overtime. So, it's essentially a one-play drive. The goal of this is to limit the number of plays run from scrimmage by each team.
Here are the rest of the college football overtime rules.
- At the end of regulation, the referee will toss a coin to determine which team will possess the ball first in overtime. The visiting team captain will call the toss. The winner gets to choose to either play offense or defense first or chooses which side of the field to play on. The decision cannot be deferred.
- The teams that loses the coin toss must exercise the remaining option. They will then have the chance to choose first from the four categories in the second overtime and subsequent even-numbered OT periods. The team that wins the toss will have the same options in odd-numbered OT periods.
- In each of the first two overtime periods, teams are granted one possession beginning at the opponent's 25-yard line, unless a penalty occurs to move them back. The offense can place the ball anywhere on or between the hash marks.
- Each team is granted one timeout per overtime period. Timeouts do not carry over from regulation nor do they carry over between overtime periods.
- Each team retains the ball until it fails to score, fails to make a first down or turns the ball over.
- Beginning with the second overtime period, teams must attempt a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown.
- Beginning with the third overtime period, teams will begin to run alternating two-point conversion plays instead of offensive possessions.
The college football overtime rules are the same in both the regular and postseason.
College football overtime rule change proposals
The most recent overtime rule change proposal was passed by the NCAA in 2021. It was made in the name of shortening games and limiting offensive reps, as previously stated.
Below are the rule changes that were ratified for 2021:
- Beginning with the second overtime period, teams must attempt a two-point conversion after scoring a touchdown.
- Beginning with the third overtime period, teams will begin to run alternating two-point conversion plays instead of offensive possessions.
History of college football overtime rules
Up until 1996, most NCAA games did not go to overtime. They simply ended in a tie. However, the governing body adopted overtime rules after pushback on some important matchups ending all square.
The initial overtime rules were in place for quite a while. Each team got the ball at the opponent's 25-yard line and retained the ball until it failed to score, failed to make a first down or turned the ball over. Teams alternated possessions until a team emerged as a victor.
Then, in 2019, the NCAA made a couple of changes in the name of shortening the game. That's when they added the two-point conversion rule, so teams had to start attempting a two-point conversion starting in the third overtime. Then, after five overtimes, teams would start running alternating two-point conversion plays. These changes were, basically, a direct response to the Texas A&M vs. LSU game.
In 2021, the rules were tweaked again, as teams must run two-point conversions in the second overtime period and will begin alternating two-point plays when the third overtime begins.
5 Longest Games in College Football History
It wasn't pretty, but Virginia Tech edged North Carolina 43-41 in a six-overtime game this past Saturday. The Hokies and Tar Heels were the first to try out college football's new overtime rules, which now requires teams to go for the two-point conversion in the fourth overtime instead of the third.
Saturday's game may have set an ACC record, but it wasn't the longest in college football history. The NCAA did away with ties in 1996, and since then, five games have gone into the seventh overtime. Here they are (in chronological order).
1. Arkansas 58, Ole Miss 56
Nov. 3, 2001 - Oxford, Miss.
The Rebels and Razorbacks were tied 17-17 at the end of regulation and began going for the two-point conversion after scoring touchdowns. The game ended in the seventh OT when Eli Manning tossed a pass to Doug Ziegler who was stopped short of the end zone. Manning finished with a school-record six touchdown passes, five of which were thrown in overtime.
2. Arkansas 71, Kentucky 63
Nov. 1, 2003 - Lexington, Ky.
As you can see, Arkansas is no stranger to long games and did another seven overtimes with Kentucky. After a wild four quarters where both teams returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, the two scored 86 points in the overtime periods. The game ended on Kentucky's possession when quarterback Jared Lorenzen fumbled on a keeper on fourth down. At the time, the score was the highest in the modern football era.
3. North Texas 25, Florida International 22
Oct. 7, 2006 - Denton, Texas
North Texas was 1-4 and FIU was 0-5 and this game was not good football. Both teams were tied 16-16 and the end of regulation and then went on to miss eight field goals in overtime. The game finally ended with kicker Denis Hopovac's successful boot in the seventh overtime.
4. Western Michigan 71, Buffalo 68
Oct. 7, 2017 - Amherst, N.Y.
Tied 31-31 after four quarters, both teams broke the record for the highest-scoring game in college football history. After Buffalo had to settle for a field goal in the seventh overtime, Western Michigan capitalized with a 12-yard touchdown run by Jarvion Franklin.
5. Texas A&M 74, LSU 72
Nov., 24, 2018 - College Station, Texas
LSU and Texas A&M closed out the regular season in dramatic fashion. The two teams played to a 31-31 tie in regulation and matched each other score-for-score through six overtimes. LSU failed to convert the two-point conversion in the seventh, but A&M did and came away with the win. The 146 combined points are the highest ever next to Georgia Tech’s 222-0 drubbing of Cumberland College in 1916.
— Written by Aaron Tallent, who is part of the Athlon Contributor Network. Tallent is a writer whose articles have appeared in The Sweet Science, FOX Sports’ Outkick the Coverage, Liberty Island and The Washington Post. Follow him on Twitter at @AaronTallent.
It has been a wild weekend of college football. No. 6 Texas A&M lost to Appalachian State. No. 8 Notre Dame lost to Marshall. No. 1 Alabama barely survived a scare at Texas.
But, perhaps the most thrilling game of the week took place in Bowling Green, Ohio, where visiting Eastern Kentucky beat the Falcons in 7 overtimes.
As you can see below, the Colonels converted a 2-point conversion in the seventh overtime period to pull off the 59-57 victory:
COLONELS WIN 59-57!!!!!!#E2W | #MatterOfPride pic.twitter.com/AqyOUM6uE2
— EKU Football (@EKUFootball) September 11, 2022
The score could have been higher, but the NCAA recently changed overtime rules so teams alternate 2-point conversion tries starting with the third overtime.
Still, this game between Bowling Green and EKU provided plenty of excitement and drama even with the new rules!
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