Here are the new CFB rules that fans need to be aware of in 2019
We’re officially one day away from the 2019 college football season starting.
Miami (FL) plays Florida on Saturday, and from that game forward, hundreds and hundreds of more games will be played throughout the season. Each season is different for numerous reasons, but rule changes are always taking place and changing the game.
For you, the fans, there are certain rule changes ahead of the 2019 season that you need to be aware of:
Sports Betting in Big Ten Country
There is big news coming to the upcoming 2022-23 Big Ten football season (and NFL season). Ohio online sports betting and Maryland sports betting are on the way.
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Targeting Rules Change
Arguably the most impactful rule change for this season revolves around targeting. As it is, players who are guilty of targeting get ejected for the game. However, a change is happening with the rule. For players that get ejected three or more times, they will be forced the miss the entire next game, not just the next half.
Another change with the targeting rule is taking place in regard to how instant replay is used. Every targeting call gets replay used, but this season, the new rule states that every targeting call must be either “confirmed” or “overturned.”
Overtime Rules Change
The days of seven-overtime games may be coming to an end. The new rule change isn’t stopping games at a certain point, but the change is making it more difficult for these games to continuously go on and on. Starting in 2019, once a game reaches the fifth overtime period, teams will simply alternate attempting two-point conversions. There will be no possessions starting at the opposition’s 25-yard-line anymore.
This has to do with player safety, because as players get more fatigued, they are increasing the risk for injury. The NCAA is also forcing two-minute rest periods following the second and fourth overtime periods.
Wedge Blocking on Kickoffs
Remember two-man wedges taking place during kickoffs? Those are no longer allowed. If an official spots it, the team doing the offense will receive a 15-yard penalty. A wedge is not illegal on onside kicks and during touchbacks, but two-man wedges are illegal.
Blindside Blocks
Blindside blocks used to be fairly tricky to call. You used to be able to make a blindside block as long as the player wasn’t making contact with the opposing player’s head or neck area. Now, all blindside blocks are illegal, no matter the location.
Any blindside block will result in a 15-yard penalty. If the contact is to the neck or head area, it is still deemed a targeting foul. Now, even if the foul isn’t a targeting foul, it will result in a personal foul.