Targeting Rule changes in 2026

The Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Oversight Committee on Thursday approved a one-year trial rule for targeting. They termed this new rule a “trial” for one year.

The targeting penalty will no longer automatically take a college football player off the field for the following game. A player disqualified for targeting for the first time in the season can participate in the following game. The trial rule will apply regardless of which half the targeting penalty is called. A player who draws his second targeting penalty of the season will be required to sit out the first half of the next game. A player who draws his third targeting of the season must sit out the full following game.

An appeals process can be initiated by a conference after a player’s second targeting penalty. The NCAA national coordinator of football officials will rule on the appeal. If successful, the player would not have to sit out the first half of the following game.

BOTTOM LINE:

This rule change too late for Miami and would have affected the national championship. Hopefully, this change further improves the game.

GO CANES!