College football rule changes for 2026 include common sense approach to targeting

College football games will feature some new officiating rule changes, starting in 2026. This week, the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Officiating (CFO) announced new rule changes that will go into effect during the 2026 season. 

One of the biggest changes is what both organizations are calling an "experimental" rule change, with respect to the targeting penalty. In previous seasons, a player who received a targeting penalty during the second half of a game was automatically disqualified for both the remainder of the game, as well as the first half of the team's next game. 

Now, players who receive targeting penalties in the second half will not have to serve a first-half suspension, in what the organizations call "carryover disqualifications." The change will likely be widely accepted by fans, coaches and players alike. It's bad enough that a player has to be ejected from the game itself, but penalizing him for the second half of the next game is seen as a largely unnecessary punishment. Not to mention the fact that it further penalizes a player for not being able to fully rejoin his team on the field.  

However, this rule change does not apply to players who receive more than one targeting foul in the same season. If a player receives a second targeting during the same given season, that player is required to also sit out the first half of the subsequent game. Players who receive three or more targeting calls will also have to sit out the remainder of the contest the call was made, in addition to an automatic, full one-game suspension. 

But conferences can appeal targeting penalties if a player is called for a second penalty. If the NCAA's national coordinator of officials finds that targeting should not have been called, the appeal is successful. The player would then not have to sit out in the first half of the subsequent game.

South Carolina has had a couple defensive guys receive targeting calls in recent seasons. Former Gamecock safety Nick Emmanwori was ejected for targeting during South Carolina's 2022 game against Tennessee. But because the penalty occurred in the first half, he was not required to sit in the second half of the following game. In 2023, Gamecock defensive back DQ Smith was ejected during a game against Texas A&M, and had to sit out the second half of the Jacksonville State. 

Other notable rule changes coming in 2026

While the targeting change is the most significant rule tweak for the 2026 season, there are others to note. The officials are now outlining specific points of emphasis for unsportsmanlike penalties. Per the official release, the following acts will be automatically ruled unsportsmanlike penalties: 

• Any form of gun violence, including brandishing a weapon. A slashing of the throat or a nose wipe signal.
• A player removing their helmet after the ball is dead (with exceptions for timeouts and equipment adjustments).
• Dead-ball contact fouls, such as pushing, shoving, striking, etc., that occur clearly after the ball is dead and that are not part of the game action.
• After the ball is dead, using forcible contact to push or pull an opponent off the pile.

When a team is called for an offensive pass interference, that will not be a 10-yard penalty instead of 15. 15-yard penalties remain for both personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. 

Coaches will also now be given two replay challenges per game. If a coach is successful with at least one of their first two challenges, they will receive a third challenge.  

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer wil undoubtedly address the ruel changes with his players and coaches, if he hasn't already done so . The Gamecocks will likely benefit from several of these, including the targeting change as well as coaches' challenge.

ALSO READ: Shane Beamer likes the intensity he's seen from South Carolina in fall camp so far

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow