College football's rulebook received several notable updates ahead of the 2026 season, and a few could have a major impact on gamedays this fall. Targeting punishment has been adjusted to better separate dangerous hits from less egregious violations, while changes to pass interference enforcement could create meaningful swings in field position. Officials will also operate under expanded guidance concerning unsportsmanlike conduct, particularly when it comes to taunting, celebrations and actions directed toward opponents.
The goal is greater consistency, though that is always easier promised than delivered when judgment calls enter the conversation. Coaches, players and fans should expect an early adjustment period as crews establish new standards in real time. Here's a closer look at the biggest changes and how each could influence games during the 2026 college football season.
The threat of targeting penalties has significantly decreased the number of whistles in recent years, an effort to improve player safety and trying to keep serious head and neck injuries to a minimum. This season's major change is aimed to lessen disqualifications, including no carryover on a player's first targeting foul. So, if you're flagged for targeting in the third quarter, the suspension for the first half of the following game has been eliminated.
If the same player gets a second targeting foul this season, he'll miss the first half of the next game. A third targeting foul means disqualification from that game and the next game entirely. Only six players in FBS last season had two or more targeting penalties.
Steve Shaw, the NCAA secretary-rules editor for football and national coordinator of officials, said in a recent interview with 365 Sports his rules committee wants to — above all — not punish players for simply making a tackle or a football play. This is a one-year trial of sorts, according to Shaw.. "Our officials are human," Shaw said.
"One of the biggest changes we've made for the good, once it goes to replay, you must confirm all aspects of targeting. We made the change to say if you can't absolutely confirm all aspects, we're going to overturn it because we don't want to disqualify a player on a marginal, not really sure but (call). So that has really helped." Part of what sparked this punishment alteration, according to Shaw, was Miami defensive back Xavier Lucas' targeting penalty in the fourth quarter of the Hurricanes' win over Ole Miss in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
