NCAA Football: Top 3 Changes Needed To Targeting Rule

By Kelvin Hunt | Mar 2, 2017

Oct 8, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive lineman Kareem Are (left) tries to help up Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (right) during the second half against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. FSU won 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 31, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detailed view of Florida State Seminoles helmet on the sidelines before a game against the Houston Cougars in the 2015 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Final Thoughts

I think it’s great that the NCAA football rules committee is considering tweaking the rules a bit. There are just too many inconsistencies with how the refs make decisions on these type of plays.

The committee is meeting today and tomorrow and these are the proposed new options according to CBS Sports:

If replay confirms targeting, the player is still ejected and the 15-yard penalty stands.
If replay overturns targeting, the player stays in the game and the 15-yard penalty goes away.
If replay doesn’t have enough evidence to confirm targeting or overturn the penalty — i.e., the call on the field stands — the player stays in the game and the 15-yard penalty remains.

The first is a given. The first two are welcomed additions, however, it still depends on the referees to get the call RIGHT when looking at the replay.

Consideration should be taken into how the offensive player is moving and intent. I know that still leaves the interpretation up to the referee, but what else can you do?

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