by Charles Linzie

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: September 10, 2009

Football is a popular sport that draws many to television sets every fall. For novice viewrs of football, there are two popular types that are televised: The National fFootball League (NFL) and NCCA collegiate football. Although college football and professional footbal are similar to novice viewers, there are subtle differences affecting the flow of the game. In essence, the differences in college regards the frequent stoppage of time between plays and ball placement. Some college rules are also in place to try to protect plyers from late hits.

The first difference involves a completed pass. In the NFL, both feet must be in bounds in order for a pass to be complete. Occasionally, officials would review the play to determine whther both of the player's feet were indeed in bounds. However, in the NCAA, only one foot has to be in bounds. This makes the judgement of the a completed pass easier on the officials. In this, you would see higher completion ratings for quarterbacks.
The next difference is being down by contact in regards to stoppage of play. If a player in the NFL trips and falls, he has to be down by contact (tackled) for the play ro stop. However, in college (as well as high school), if the player falls, the play is over and the ball is spotted on the approxamate area. This is implemented to prevent late hits form opposing plyers. (In both levels of competition, the ground cannot cause a funble and if the plyer loses the ball after falling, the play is over.)
A third difference regards kick and punt returns. In college, a two-yard halo must be in place before the punting team can attempt to tackle the returner. In the NFL, the two yard halo is not in effect unless the returner calls for a "fair catch." In addition, on a kickoff, if the ball goes out of bounds before reaching the goal line (and is not touched by anyone on the return team), the ball is spotted on the 40-yard line. In college, the ball will be spotted on the 35-yard line.
The last key difference between the NFL and college football is time stoppage after first downs. In the NFL, once the player makes the first down, the clock continues (unless the player is out of bounds or calls time out); this is crucial due to time management and playing catch-up. In college, however, the clock stops and does not restart untile the offense sets up. On one hand, it makes time management easier on coaches and players, saving timeouts and allowing the offense to regroup. On the flip, it slows the pace of the game, casunig a series (or even the qurter to go longer than anticipated.

These are just a few of the differences between collegiate and professional football. Based on these differences, college football tries harder to protect players thea the NFL in terms , but it soimetimes slows the pacing of the game. However, the atmospere in the two levels of football is about the same. Do not be surprised if you watch college football for the first time and find the pace of the game a bit slow. The sport, despite all of the protection and the safegards can be equally brutal.

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