College Football Execs Float Rule Changes to Shorten Games

College football games could be shorter if these executives can change the rules

The powers that be in college football are looking to make games shorter going forward and now they have four rule change proposals on the table to do just that.

College football executives are reviewing four options that would cut into the length of games, according to Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger.

The measures are "meant to reduce plays for both safety and game length reasons," according to the report.

College Football Rule Change Proposals

1. Outlawing consecutive timeouts. This rule would prevent one timeout from being called right after another, which often happens as teams try to ice kickers.

2. Not extending quarters. This rule could make it so that a first or third quarter would not be extended for an un-timed down if the quarter ends on a defensive penalty. In that case, the down would be clocked in the next quarter.

3. Running clock. According to this rule, the clock will continue to run after an offense gains a first down except inside two minutes in a half.

4. Another running clock rule. This measure, considered the most controversial, will have the clock continue to run after an incomplete pass once the ball has been spotted for play.

Observers believe the third rule change proposal currently has a broad base of support given the existence of that rule in the NFL at present.

One reason college football games run longer than NFL games is because of the first down rule. In the NFL, the clock runs after first downs while in college the clock is stopped until the ball is placed.

College football games have slowly increased in length over the last five seasons, from 3 hours 16 minutes in 2018 to 3 hours 21 minutes in 2022.

(SI)

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