The college football season begins on Saturday. With the new season, there will be some changes. More protection for players, defensive holding, QB sliding. Lots of new college football rules every fan needs to know about.
Most of the rules listed below are pretty self explanatory. There will be plenty of games this week to get used them. Most of the games would be considered “warm-ups”, but college football is college football.
If you want to dive in a little deeper for full explanations of college football rules, you can check them out here
Here are some of the games scheduled for Saturday that I’ll be checking out.
Nebraska at Northwestern
Duquesne at Florida State
Florida A&M at North Carolina
You can check out a complete list of Saturday’s games here.
Related: WGAC’s Everything Football Page
Illegal touching by an ineligible player is a loss of down in addition to the five-yard penalty.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 10: Cameron Latu #81 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs with the ball as Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs defends in the second quarter of the game during the 2022 CFP National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 10, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Replay officials can adjust the clock if a ruling is overturned with less than two minutes remaining in the game or first half.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 28: A red hat holds a SEC on-field television timeout clock during the Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Defensive holding is an automatic first down in addition to the 10-yard penalty.
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 23: Isaiah Bowser #5 of the UCF Knights gestures after a first down in the fourth quarter against the Florida Gators during the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Ball-carriers who simulate a feet-first slide will be ruled down at the spot.
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – NOVEMBER 10: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers slides after rushing during the third quarter of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
Only linemen and stationary backs inside the tackle box can block below the waist.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 02: The Georgia Bulldogs line up against the Florida Gators during a game on November 02, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Schools and conferences can report the potential faking of injuries to the national coordinator of officials, which could lead to penalties for the school involved.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels argues with a referee against the Baylor Bears during the third quarter in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Players ejected in the second halves of games for targeting might not be suspended for the first half of the next game, depending on the results of an appeal.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 13: James Skalski #47 of the Clemson Tigers is ejected for targeting against LSU Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
