College football games consist of four quarters, just like the NFL. However, there are some differences in the way the game clock operates between the two levels of the sport.
In both college football and the NFL, each quarter is 15 minutes long. The game starts with the first quarter and progresses through the second and third quarters, with a break in between each quarter for teams to switch sides of the field. The fourth quarter is the final quarter of the game.
During the first three quarters, the clock operates similarly in college football and the NFL. The clock starts running when the ball is snapped on a play and continues to run until there is a stoppage in play, such as an incomplete pass, a player stepping out of bounds, or a timeout being called. This is known as “running time.”
However, there is a notable difference in the way the clock operates in the final two minutes of each half. In college football, the clock stops temporarily after a first down until the ball is set and the official signals for the clock to start again. This allows for more time to potentially run off the clock during a drive. In the NFL, the clock stops momentarily for a first down, but then starts again as soon as the ball is set.
Another difference between college football and the NFL is the way overtime is handled. In the NFL, if a game is tied at the end of regulation, there is a 10-minute sudden death period. If neither team scores during this period, the game ends in a tie. In college football, however, overtime rules are different.
In college football, if a game is tied at the end of regulation, both teams are given an opportunity to possess the ball starting from the opponent’s 25-yard line. If a team scores a touchdown, they have the option to kick an extra point or go for a two-point conversion. The other team then has the same opportunity to score. This process continues until there is a winner. Each possession is considered a separate “overtime period.”
This format of overtime in college football can lead to multiple overtime periods and the potential for longer games. It adds an additional level of excitement and strategy to the game, as teams must decide whether to go for a touchdown or field goal and whether to attempt a two-point conversion.
College football games consist of four quarters, just like the NFL. However, there are differences in the way the game clock operates, particularly in the final two minutes of each half. Additionally, college football has a different overtime format, which can lead to longer games and added excitement.