Big Ten Introduces Mid-Season Rule Change to Football Games

Mid-season rule changes in college football are a rare occurrence. However, the Big Ten has thrown tradition to the wind and announced a rule change after last weekend’s onside kick during the game between the University of Michigan and University of Minnesota.

Moving forward, two referees will be placed on either side of the kicker along the 35-yard line. By adding a referee, there will be two sets of eyes to judge whether or not there are players violating the offsides rule when an onside kick occurs.

During the Michigan, Minnesota game, the Gophers recovered an onside kick; however, referees called an offsides penalty, denying Minnesota the chance to tie or win the game. Fans and players were outraged at the call, but the game moved forward as a victory for the University of Michigan.

In a statement, Pete Thamel of ESPN said, “Effective immediately, the Big Ten has been approved by the NCAA to implement a modified officiating mechanic that will allow the conference to change the manner in which it officiates onside kicks by positioning the Line Judge and Head Line-Judge on the kicking team’s restraining line, thereby putting multiple officials in the best position to consistently make the correct judgment.”

Despite the rule change, the Big Ten did not point out the specific play in the Minnesota, Michigan game as wrong.

There were already a series of rule changes from the NCAA heading into the 2024 football season. From the two-minute warning to first down clock stops, college football is an evolving landscape. As Big Ten teams enter the next weekend of games, they will test out the newest rule change.

Minnesota head coach, PJ Fleck, credited the Big Ten for the rule change and said of last weekend’s foul call, “We submitted the play to the Big Ten Coordinator of Officials for review. The Coordinator informed us the play was too tight to flag.”