10 College Football Rule Changes We Would Most Like to See Implemented

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Like any other sport, college football has plenty of rules that fans would like to see changed or enforced in a different manner.

With so much riding on every game and each snap, a well-refereed game is very important.

There are a lot of rules in college football that are the same as the NFL, but there are also some that are slightly different. As expected, some are better than others.

While fans of college football certainly enjoy the game, there is no question that improvements could be made.

Here are 10 college football rule changes we would most like to see implemented.

Clock Stoppage on a First Down

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We all love college football, but the games might just be a little too long.

One way to speed that up would be to keep the clock running after a first down, just like the NFL does.

This rule change could speed up the pace of the game by as much as 30 minutes, so the games are closer to three hours instead of four. This might be the perfect change for everyone involved.

5-Yard Touch Rule for the Defense

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There is currently a five-yard touch rule for defensive players on wide receivers in the NFL. This is an opportunity for the defensive backs to bump the receivers and knock them off their routes.

With the way college football has evolved, instituting the same rule might help out the defense a little bit.

It would be the perfect way to give defenses a better chance to be able to compete with the high-flying offenses found throughout college football.

Touchbacks Coming out to the 25

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Just this season a touchback on a kickoff was moved from the 20-yard line to the 25. While this may not seem like a big deal, all it does is benefit the offense.

What was so bad about the 20-yard line that it had to be moved?

I say move it back to the 20-yard line and reward a kicker for kicking the ball deep enough in the end zone that it cannot be returned.

Helmet Rule

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This is another rule that was implemented this season. Every time a player loses his helmet, he must sit out the next play unless the the player lost his helmet as a result of a penalty. 

While this might encourage safety and force players to tighten down their chin straps, is the rule really necessary?

It almost encourages players to try to rip off an opposing player's helmet while the referee isn't looking, particularly a quarterback.

Seems like a little bit of overkill to me.

Pass Interference at the Spot of the Foul

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Pass interference can be a difference maker in a game and warrants a huge penalty. Right now it is not a spot foul like it is in the NFL.

Changing this rule would be a great idea. Couple this rule with the 10-yard touch rule and it would make defenders less likely to interfere with receivers down the field.

If they do, however, a spot foul just like the NFL has would be a more justifiable penalty.

One Foot Inbounds on a Catch

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If a player has to get both feet down and make a football move for a ball to be ruled a fumble, why does he only have to have one foot down before being pushed out of bounds for it to be a reception?

This rule simply does not make sense, and college football would be best advised to follow in the footsteps of the NFL by making the rule two feet inbounds.

That seems to make a little more sense than just one foot.

Bring the Hash Marks in

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The hash marks in college football are way too wide. Not only does it look weird, but it also creates havoc on potential field goals.

It does make it a little harder to run plays to the short side of the field, which benefits defenses, but the hash marks in college football are much farther apart than they need to be. 

Bring them in so they are the same distance apart as the field goal posts. This would improve kicking, which continues to be a lost art in college football.

The Celebration Rule

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It looks right now like the NFL is starting to move the way of college football when it comes to celebrations.

Some say when a player scores a touchdown, he should act like he has been there before. I say to act like you are never going to get there again.

Celebrating is a huge part of college football and it seems like every year, the rules become more strict.

Let the kids celebrate, as long as it is all in good taste. It is all about having fun.

Field Goal Placement

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After a kick is missed in college football the defense takes over at the original line of scrimmage instead of where the ball was kicked.

The NFL rule is the opposite, as the defense gets the ball at the placement of the ball for the kick.

I tend to agree with the NFL rule and would like to see the defense be rewarded and take over there.

A Winning Record to Become Bowl Eligible

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This is not necessarily an in-game rule, but more of a general rule dealing with bowl eligibility.

It is one thing to be 6-6 and become bowl eligible, but over the past two years, teams with losing records have qualified for bowl games. 

This year it was Georgia Tech, as the 6-7 Yellow Jackets are set to take on USC in the Sun Bowl.

A year ago, UCLA finished 6-7 and played a 6-6 Illinois team that had lost six straight games in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

While these two teams lost their respective conference championships, that does not mean they are bowl worthy.

I also believe a 6-6 team does not necessarily deserve to be in a bowl game. I say teams must finish at least 7-5 to become bowl eligible.

This may be the most unlikely of the rules to change.