NCAA Announces CFB Rule Changes to Targeting, Uniforms and More Ahead of 2026 Season

The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee has announced rule changes for the 2026 college football season.

Of note, a first offense for targeting will no longer lead to an automatic suspension for the first half of the player's next game. The player will still be disqualified from the game in which he committed the penalty.

A second targeting penalty during the season will result in a disqualification plus a suspension for the first half of the next game. A third targeting penalty will lead to a disqualification plus a suspension for the entire next game.

The committee also reviewed a proposal that would have required players to have their legs covered from the top of their cleats to the bottom of their football pants. However, that proposal was not approved.

Other rule changes include offensive pass interference penalties being knocked down from 15 yards to 10.

In addition, there was a clarification issued on unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. In essence, the officials will keep their focuses on player taunts of opponents, player actions interfering with the game administration and demeaning celebrations to the game or opponent.

Also, the fair catch kick rule now applies in college football. In short, teams can attempt a kick following a completed or awarded fair catch. That kick will be a field goal kick or drop kick from where the returner caught the ball. If the kick goes through the uprights, it will lead to three points.