On a play-by-play basis, it's hard to beat the excitement of overtime in college football, which pits each team in an "anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better" style. For the uninitiated, though, it can be confusing to understand what happens at the end of regulation and how the game changes with each successive overtime -- especially with the overtime rules evolving in recent years. Here's everything you need to know about how overtime works in college football.
When did college football overtime start?
Prior to the 1995 season, when a game was tied at the end of regulation, the game would simply result in a tie. That changed ahead of that year's bowl slate, with the first overtime period coming in Toledo's 40-37 win over Nevada in the 1995 Las Vegas Bowl. Overtime was fully adopted for the 1996 FBS season with a set of rules that remained unchanged through the 2018 season. Since then, we've seen the overtime rules change twice (in 2019 and 2021), but the basic format remains the same.
How does college football overtime work?
In the simplest terms, overtime occurs when the game is tied at the end of regulation (through four quarters), and the team that scores the most points in overtime wins the game. Unlike in the NFL, each team gets one possession from the opponent's 25-yard line to begin overtime. If either team outscores the other during the first overtime period, that team wins the game. If it remains tied at the end of the first overtime, another overtime period is played with each team again starting from the 25-yard line. If the game is still tied after two overtime periods, both teams alternate 2-point conversion attempts to determine a winner. Another rule that differs from NFL overtime is the clock. In college football, there is no game clock in overtime, as each team gets possession regardless of how long the previous series takes. There is still a play clock in overtime periods.
How is possession determined in overtime?
If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the captain of the visiting team calls heads or tails. The side that wins the toss chooses whether to start on offense or defense, or which end of the field it will defend in the first overtime period. The side that loses the toss chooses from the remaining option. Typically, teams will choose to defend first in overtime for a very simple reason: They want to know how many points they'll need to score on their offensive possession. If the team that starts on offense scores a touchdown, the other team knows it can't settle for a field goal on its offensive possession. Conversely, if the initial team fails to score at all, a field goal would win it for the other team.
How do the rules change after the 1st overtime?
Just like in the first overtime period, each team begins the second overtime period from the opponent's 25-yard line, and the team that scores the most points wins the game. If either team scores a touchdown, they are required to attempt a 2-point conversion in the second overtime period - an attempt to limit the number of successive overtime periods needed to resolve the game. This rule was changed in 2021, as teams were previously required to attempt a 2-point conversion after a touchdown starting with the third overtime period.
How do the rules change after the 2nd overtime?
If the game remains tied after two overtime periods, both teams alternate 2-point conversion attempts instead of starting drives from the opponent's 25-yard line. This continues until one team converts and the other doesn't, resulting in a 2-point win for the converting team. This rule was introduced in the 2019 season, with teams forced to trade 2-point attempts instead of full possessions starting with the fifth overtime. It was the first change to overtime rules in 23 years and came in response to 74-72 win over LSU on Nov. 24, 2018 -- which lasted almost five hours and tied the previous FBS record with seven overtimes. In an effort to further reduce the length of overtime games, the rule was changed again in 2021 to have teams alternate 2-point attempts starting with the third overtime.
Can the game end in a tie?
No, not anymore. Before overtime was introduced in 1995, ties were not uncommon in college football. That ended with the introduction of overtime, which continues until one team outscores the other in any given overtime period and a winner is determined. This is different from the NFL, where teams can still tie following a 10-minute overtime period.
College football overtime rules summary
First OT
Second OT
Teams start at opponent's 25-yard line
Each team has one possession
If either team scores a touchdown, it must attempt a 2-point conversion.
Third OT (and beyond)
Where can I access more college football coverage from ESPN?
Fans can access rankings, previews, predictions, grades, and more on the ESPN college football hub page.
FAQs
Unlike the NFL, which just adds another 10-minute period to the game, there is no clock in college overtime. Rather, the teams alternate possessions, meaning that overtime can't end without each team touching the ball at least once.
What are the overtime rules for NCAA football? ›
Teams get one timeout per overtime period, and timeouts do not carry over between regular or overtime periods. Teams have possession of the ball until they fail to score, turn over on downs or have a turnover. Once the second overtime begins, teams have to go for two every time.
How does overtime work in the college playoffs? ›
At the start of overtime, there is a coin flip, and the winner gets to decide one element of the overtime – whether they play offense or defense first, or what side of the field they would like to play on. If the game is tied at the end of the first overtime period, the game goes to a second overtime period.
What are the rules for overtime in football? ›
Overtime rules in the postseason consist of as many 15-minute periods as are necessary until there is a winner, instead of the single 10-minute overtime period in the regular season. Both teams will now get at least one possession, even if the team that has the first possession scores a touchdown.
Do NCAA games go into overtime? ›
NCAA regular season overtime rules
If there is a tie at the end of regulation, then the teams play a five-minute overtime period with a minute break in between. The game continues to another overtime period if the score remains tied and so on until a five-minute period ends with one team ahead.
What are the rules for 25 OT in college football? ›
Unlike in the NFL, each team gets one possession from the opponent's 25-yard line to begin overtime. If either team outscores the other during the first overtime period, that team wins the game.
What is the longest overtime in NCAA football? ›
November 1, 2003 — Arkansas 71, Kentucky 63
A year after their record-breaking seven-overtime game, Arkansas went to six overtimes against Tennessee in 2002, losing 41-38. Then, in 2003, Arkansas faced Kentucky in a game that started on November 1, but ended on November 2.
What happens if both teams score in overtime in the playoffs? ›
Unlike regular season games, postseason games cannot end in a tie, so the overtime rules change slightly for the playoffs. If the score is still tied at the end of an overtime period — or if the second team's initial possession has not ended — the teams will play another overtime period.
How does overtime work in playoffs? ›
If a playoff game is tied after three periods, it goes into overtime. In overtime, 20 minutes are put on the clock and the teams play at five-on-five until a goal is scored.
Do both teams get a chance to score in overtime in college football? ›
Each team tries to score either a touchdown or a field goal in their half of each overtime period. If the score is tied after the first extra period, another extra period is played. This continues until there is a winner.
Recently, the US Department of Labor (DOL) released their final rule, updating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)'s overtime pay requirements. The rule increases the minimum salary threshold to $43,888 on July 1, 2024, and then to $58,656 on January 1, 2025.
What was the old overtime rule? ›
(On average, about one of the 11 games each post-season is tied after 60 minutes.) The old rule was simple: a coin toss gave one team a right to elect to receive the kick-off in overtime; they would then play according to the usual rules until one team scored.
Has a Super Bowl ever ended in a tie? ›
Playoff games cannot end in a tie, and neither can the Super Bowl. After the opening possession, any score can still end the game, but if it goes scoreless through an entire overtime period, they will move into a second. And then a third.
Why does NCAA play halves? ›
While the NBA has since kept the format and made each quarter 12 minutes, the NCAA changed back to playing two halves of basketball instead of quarters in 1954. The change was due to coaches worried about stalling in the game with no shot clock.
Does college football overtime count for over under? ›
Overtime stats and scores absolutely count in NFL, college football, and most other sports betting markets. Part of the thrill of online sports betting is predicting what you think will happen in any given game.
Is there overtime in college football bowl games? ›
Whether the game is regular season or a bowl game, the same overtime rules apply. Here are all the college football overtime rules: Overtime begins with a coin toss to determine which team starts with the ball in overtime, with the visiting team calling the toss.
Do they kick the extra points in overtime college? ›
If team 1 does not score, team 2 can position itself for an easy field goal as opposed to risking an interception or fumble. Starting in the third overtime period, if a team scores a touchdown they do not have the option of kicking an extra point, but instead must attempt a 2 point conversion.
How long is overtime? ›
The overtime period length may vary, but it is commonly 10 minutes long. Depending on the state, if the game is still tied at the end of the first overtime: As many additional overtime periods – golden or silver goal rules – may be played as needed to determine a winner.
What are Super Bowl overtime rules? ›
What are the Super Bowl overtime rules?
- Overtime periods are 15 minutes long, and the teams will play until there is a winner.
- Most importantly, each team will get the opportunity to possess the ball at least once, even if the team that has the first possession scores a touchdown.
