Big Rule Changes Coming in College Football in 2023?

College Football could see some major changes to the rule book in 2023

There could be major changes coming to college football in 2023.

According to reports from Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger, college football executives are moving close to recommending several clock rule changes to reduce play time and injury concerns. 

The biggest rule change would be to keep a running clock in motion.

“High-ranking college football leaders have been reviewing four specific changes to clock rules, two of which are considered non-controversial, one that has garnered wide support and a fourth that has left some divided," per Dellenger. “The non-controversial proposals include (1) prohibiting consecutive timeouts (i.e., icing kickers) and (2) no longer extending a first or third quarter for an untimed down if the quarter ends on a defensive penalty (the down would be clocked starting the next quarter)."

While the first two proposals have been met with skepticism, the third proposal could be a game-changer in the sport. Per Dellenger, the clock will continue to run after an offense gains a first down except for inside the final two minutes of the half.

According to the fourth proposal, the clock will continue to run after an incomplete pass once the ball is spotted for play. The clock halts in college football following first downs and incomplete passes.

The changes could be implemented as soon as Week 1 of the upcoming season, but the vote is not expected to be approved for the next several weeks.

Multiple proposed rule changes would mirror a similar format to the NFL's playing rules. The NFL does not allow coaches to use back-to-back timeouts during a single dead-ball period and does not stop the clock after first downs.

One big difference between the collegiate proposed changes and the NFL would be the incomplete pass proposal. The NFL does stop the clock after incomplete passes.

According to Dellenger, the rule changes were discussed at length during the American Football Coaches Convention last month in Charlotte, N.C. The impact of a running clock is expected to keep the game more up-tempo, primarily on offense.

Another reason for the proposed changes could include the number of plays called. The average NFL game averages roughly 155 plays combined by both teams. At the FBS level in 2022, teams averaged roughly 180 plays.

Currently, there is no exact timetable for when the proposed changes will occur.