RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Florida fans will notice some changes on Saturdays this fall: the roster is revamped, there's a new head coach in Gainesville, and there are a number of rule changes that will alter gameplay for several college football teams across the country. Targeting, replay challenges, and a new fair catch kick are among the changes, in addition to approvals for commercial logo use on jerseys and helmets.
Targeting has been overhauled on an experimental basis; a player's first upheld targeting foul still results in ejection from the current game, but there is no longer an automatic first-half suspension for the following game when the foul occurs in the second half. A second targeting foul during the course of the season will result in disqualification from the current game and the first half of the next game according to the National Football Foundation.
The third targeting foul of the year results in disqualification plus an automatic one-game suspension. The national coordinator of football officials can review certain cases per conference's request. The NCAA also updated its unsportsmanlike conduct rule, lowering the list of automatic fouls to five specific categories.
Offensive pass interference dips from 15 yards to 10 yards, while defensive pass interference remains a spot foul — the maximum penalty for DPI is still 15 yards.
A new fair catch kick is being introduced to college football this season as well. After designated fair catches, the receiving team can elect to attempt an uncontested field goal from the spot of the catch.
Head coaches now receive two replay challenges per game. If the coach wins one of the first two, he will be awarded a third. A team still must have a timeout available to challenge the result of a play. Inside the final two minutes, replay procedures will also see updates. Instead of automatically resetting the play clock to 25 seconds after a replay review, the existing play clock can be preserved, with a minimum of 10 seconds.
In the area of safety, guardian caps and SAFR helmet covers can now be worn during games.
Division I teams can now place up to two conference-approved commercial or nonprofit logos on jerseys and one commercial logo on helmets. An extra logo will be permitted on jerseys during conference championship and postseason competition.
This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: New college football rules Florida fans need to know for 2026
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