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College football rule changes we’d love to see happen

By Michael Collins

Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a yellow penalty flag during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeat the Red Raiders 63-35. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a yellow penalty flag during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeat the Red Raiders 63-35. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) hits Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Bosa would be penalized for targeting and ejected from the game. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) hits Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) during the first half of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Bosa would be penalized for targeting and ejected from the game. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 – Targeting

This penalty has become the bane of every college football fan’s existence. The rule is written as follows:

"Targeting and Initiating Contact With the Crown of the Helmet  (Rule 9-1-3) No player shall target and initiate contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. When in question, it is a foul. Targeting and Initiating Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player  (Rule 9-1-4) No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, fist, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul.  (Rule 2-27-14)"

The word “launching” has been added into the verbiage as well.

The penalties for this foul can be absolutely devastating, with a 15-yard penalty combined with a possible player ejection. Originally once the foul was called, there was no review available for either part of the penalty. As it stands now, officials can review the play and overturn the ejection if they don’t feel the contact was “forcible”. Again…more judgement calls.

The need to protect players is crucial, but the penalty needs to be written so that any part of the occurring foul can be reviewed and overturned. Once again, this rule is under possible change for the upcoming season.

The NCAA football rules committee proposed giving replay officials more authority to overturn incorrect targeting calls, as well as the ability to call targeting penalties when they are missed on the field. There is also a proposal to allow conferences to experiment with NFL-style centralized video replay review systems in 2016.

Hopefully this poorly executed but important rule will be cleaned up once and for all.

Next: Celebration

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