Alabama and Wisconsin will both be missing key linebackers for the first half of their upcoming game due to targeting penalties incurred in their previous matchups. This rule, which has been in effect since 2013, mandates that players penalized for targeting are ejected from the game and must sit out the first half of the next game as well.
The NCAA's national coordinator of officials, Steve Shaw, defends the rule, stating that the threat of ejection serves as a deterrent and helps reduce dangerous hits on the field. Despite some coaches advocating for a two-tiered system for targeting penalties, where less severe infractions wouldn't result in ejections, the current policy remains unchanged.
So far this season, there have been 37 targeting penalties in 178 Bowl Subdivision games, indicating a slight increase compared to last year. However, Shaw attributes this rise to the early season when players are still adjusting to game speed after limited contact in preseason practices.
While some coaches express concerns about the severity of ejections for targeting, others believe that the rule has been effective in promoting player safety and reducing catastrophic injuries. The ongoing debate around the targeting rule includes discussions about potential modifications, such as adopting an NHL-style model where players face time penalties instead of ejections.
Despite differing opinions among coaches, the NCAA targeting rule remains focused on preventing forcible contact to the head or neck area of opponents. Recent changes, such as allowing penalized players to remain on the sidelines and introducing an appeals process for second-half ejections, aim to provide a fairer system for players.
As the college football season progresses, the conversation around targeting penalties continues, with coaches, officials, and stakeholders weighing in on the best approach to maintain player safety while preserving the integrity of the game.
