Here’s the two-minute warning/drill on NCAA college football rule changes for 2024

The most obvious changes to college football in the 2024 season are the expansion of the College Football Playoff from four to 12 teams and the revamped superconferences following the Pac-12.

When Week 0 games kick off starting this weekend, other changes will be more subtle, but they will be there.

What fans will probably notice most is the addition of a two-minute warning, something that is a staple in the NFL but something new in college football.

Other changes are more technical, but inevitably someone will wonder, “Why is there a green dot on that guy’s helmet?” while more informed people will wonder, “Are they doing that in college now?”

Below is an introduction to the significant stadium rule changes for 2024.

Two-Minute Warning in College Football?

These games will come to college football and will be much like those in the NFL. When there are 2:00 minutes left to play if the clock is running and the play has ended, or at the next whistle after the 2:00 minute mark if a play is in progress, the clock will stop and there will be a media timeout.

What’s new in horse collar rigging?

Until this year, a horse collar tackle was legal inside the tackle box. It is no longer legal. A horse collar tackle anywhere on the field will be penalized 15 yards.

Intra-hull communications

Here’s another rule change that NFL fans will recognize. Coaches can now talk to players on the field through a radio built into the players’ helmets. Players with a helmet with a radio will have a green dot on it, and only one green dot can be on the field at a time. Realistically, that will be a quarterback on offense and, in most cases, a linebacker on defense.

The radio will turn off when there are 15 seconds left on the game clock. It will turn off during kickoffs, when multiple players from the same team with green dots are allowed on the field together.

Tablets on the sidelines

More Technology Teams may watch game video on tablets when working on the sidelines. Video of any other type (other games or practices) is not permitted.

Permitted videos include live streaming. Teams are limited to 18 tablets in the stadium. Tablets cannot be connected to other devices and cannot include live data or analysis.

No changes in the kick-offs

Those weird kickoff rules the NFL is using now won’t be in college football, at least not this year.

What is the maximum number of years you can play college football?

NCAA rule stipulates that a student-athlete cannot compete in any Division 1 varsity sport for more than four seasons. Those four seasons must fall within a five-calendar-year period. The 2020 football season does not count toward those four years.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at [email protected]; @Bretbloomquist on X.

This article originally appeared in the El Paso Times: What are the new rules in college football? Two-minute warning looms