New CFB Rule Changes in 2025

The NCAA Rules Oversight Committee approved a number of rules changes for the upcoming 2025 season. The committee meets after every season to make improvements to the game, primarily related to the safety of players. In recent years, the committee has also addressed the length of games.

As in any other year, the new rule changes will have some impact on college football betting. Last year’s addition of the two-minute timeout at the end of a half and the end of a game was a significant change. 

In 2023, the NCAA decided to keep the clock running when an offensive team gains a first down. That was also a significant change designed to speed up games. That rule change impacted game totals somewhat, but teams have adjusted and are still averaging 55 to 56 points per game.

How this year’s changes affect betting on this year’s games remains to be seen. Here is a look at the rules changes heading into the 2025 college football season.

Fake Injury Penalty

To counter the up-tempo spread offense, defenses have, for years, had defensive players fake an injury to stop the clock and interrupt the flow of the offense. It worked and it was perfectly legal. 

Not anymore. If a player is injured after the ball is spotted for the next play and the training staff/medical personnel enter the field of play, the team will be charged a timeout. If the team does not have any timeouts remaining, they will be assessed a 5-yard penalty for delay of game.

The rule was put in place to stop teams from using injury timeouts as a means of slowing down a game. 

Overtime Rules

Overtime rules have changed a number of times over the last several seasons. This year, there is a change related to overtime and timeouts.

After the third overtime period, each team will receive one timeout for the remainder of the game. This rule is also aimed at speeding up game play in games that go to multiple overtime periods.

Signals

Players on the receiving end of a kickoff can still signal for a fair catch. When they make the catch inside the 25-yard line, the ball is set for play on the 25. These same players now have another option.

If a member or a kickoff return team makes a “T” signal, it will be treated as a fair catch. The receiving team cannot return the ball, and the play will be blown dead.

Also, defensive players will now be restricted from using certain words or signals that mimic the offense. Defensive players call out signals before a play and often use words similar to words that offenses use as a deceptive tactic. Words like “move” and “stem” will still be reserved for defensive players.

Replay Reviews

Replay reviews will make a small change. Officials will no longer use the terms “confirmed” and “stands” when administering a call. When the referee announces the results of the review, he will say that the call is “upheld”, or the call is “overturned.”

The change is intended to make the announcement process easier and more uniform.

Other Changes

A number of other rule changes were also announced. No player will be permitted to lineup directly behind the snapper between the kicker or punter in a kick from scrimmage formation. 

FCS teams will now have the option to use coach-to-player helmet communication. FBS currently use the technology. 

After what Oregon head coach Dan Lanning did against Ohio State last season, the rules committee eliminated the loophole. If a defensive team lines up with 12 or more players on the field during a play after the two-minute warning, the defensive team will be assessed a five-yard penalty.