College football rules
Scoring
| Touchdown | 6 |
|---|---|
| Extra point (kick after a touchdown) | 1 |
| Two-point conversion | 2 |
| Field goal | 3 |
| Safety | 2 |
Game length
Four 15-minute quarters, 60 minutes of game time, with halftime after the second quarter. A receiver needs only one foot in bounds for a catch, one of the clearest differences from the NFL.
Overtime
- First overtime. No clock. Each team gets one possession from the opponent's 25-yard line. After a touchdown, a team may kick for one or go for two.
- Second overtime. Same possessions, but a team that scores a touchdown must go for two.
- Third overtime and later. Each possession is a single two-point attempt from the 3-yard line, alternating until one team leads.
The format in place since 2021. Rules are set by the NCAA football rules committee and can change between seasons.
Overtime in Big 12 games, by season
Games involving a Big 12 team, from the line scores in the game log. 171 of 4084 since 2001, 4.2%.
Latest overtime games
- 2025-12-30 USC at TCU 27-30
- 2025-10-11 BYU at Arizona 33-27
- 2025-09-26 Houston at Oregon State 27-24
- 2025-09-13 Pittsburgh at West Virginia 24-31
- 2025-09-06 Baylor at SMU 48-45
- 2025-01-01 Texas at Arizona State 39-31
- 2024-09-21 Baylor at Colorado 31-38
- 2024-09-07 Arkansas at Oklahoma State 31-39
- 2024-08-31 Abilene Christian at Texas Tech 51-52
- 2023-11-25 BYU at Oklahoma State 34-40
The rules of college football that matter most on a Saturday: what each score is worth, how long a game is, and how overtime works, with the real record of how often Big 12 games need it. For how college football is organised, see FBS vs FCS and the conferences.
The Big 12 Report
One conference, in your inbox every Tuesday.
Standings, the title race and one opinion on the Big 12. No filler.
Frequently asked questions
How many quarters are in a college football game?
Four quarters of 15 minutes each, 60 minutes of game time, with halftime between the second and third quarters.
How does overtime work in college football?
There is no game clock. Each team gets a possession from the opponent's 25-yard line. In the second overtime a team that scores a touchdown must go for two. From the third overtime on, each possession is a single two-point attempt from the 3-yard line. This format has been in place since 2021.
How many points is a touchdown, field goal and safety?
A touchdown is 6 points, followed by a try: 1 point for a kick or 2 for a run or pass into the end zone. A field goal is 3 points and a safety is 2.
How often do Big 12 games go to overtime?
171 of 4084 games involving Big 12 teams since 2001 went to overtime, 4.2%. The latest: USC at TCU, 2025-12-30.