Get to know the 6 new college football rules ahead of the 2024 season

The College Football 25 video game has done a great job bridging the gap to the college football season and now we’re just a month away from Week 0. The game also began to introduce us to the new rules of college football which will be implemented for the first time in 2024.

There are a few big changes coming to the college game and that’s before we even get into the massive conference realignment that has ballooned the Big Ten to 18 teams or the College Football Playoff’s expansion to 12-teams which will give Penn State an excellent shot of playing for a national championship. 

So, let’s take a look at the six new rules coming to college football this fall. 

1. Two-minute warning

Everyone knows how the two-minute warning works in the NFL and it’ll be the same in college football starting this season. This rule change falls in line with the recent change to a running clock after first downs except within the last two minutes of the second and fourth quarters. The two-minute warning will serve to essentially signal that change and helps to alleviate back-to-back TV timeouts.  

2. In-helmet communication

Last season, Michigan’s run to the national title was marred by sign-stealing allegations and that prompted college football to finally allow in-helmet communications. 

Coaches can communicate with one player through one-way in-helmet communication which is signaled by a green dot on that players helmet. Communications will cut off 15 seconds before the snap. 

This rule is only in effect for FBS teams but is not required. Some teams may rely on old-school signals for calling plays and even if one team selects not to use in-helmet communication, their opponent is still allowed to. 

3. Tablets for in-game video review

Communication devices in the helmets isn’t the only technology coming down to the college football field. Teams will now have tablets to review in-game video tape only. Each team will have 18 tablets to distribute throughout the coach’s boxed, in the locker room, and on the sideline. 

4. Horse collar tackles in the tackle box will be a 15-yard penalty

The horse collar tackle has been illegal in college football in 2008, but the NCAA is adding to the rule. Horse collar tackles that occur within the tackle box will be penalized as a 15-yard personal foul. 

5. Conference-wide video review system

Conferences will now be allowed to use a collaborative replay review system. Hopefully with conferences now allowed to set up their own replay review system, the process could be expedited. Many of these rules will serve to speed up the pace of play and shorten games.  

6. Head coach interviews after the 1st and 3rd quarters

Head coaches will be interviewed more often as a part of this rule change, one to appease the sport’s broadcast partners. Now, instead of just heading into the half while nearly running away from reporters into the tunnel, coaches will conduct interviews with sideline reporters after the first and third quarters.