The differences between NCAA football and NFL

These are the different rules I know:
1. NCAA has no two minutes warning
2. Once the referee has put the ball down on the field and it is to be put into play, NCAA has 25 seconds to go, NFL is 40 seconds
3. Overtime is different. NFL, the so-called "sudden death"
4. 2 points conversion: NCAA 3 yards, NFL 2 yards.
5. Receiver's feet inside the court, NCAA: one foot, NFL: 2 feet.
6. Dead ball, NCAA: any parts above knees touch ground, NFL: if not because of defense, keep going on.
7. Fumble: NCAA: first down , NFL: can keep going for touch down.
8. No unsportsmamlike conduct in NCAA, NFL is OK.
9. After first down, clock will stop for NCAA, NFL is not
The NCAA football rules can be found at here. The differences list in other website. The interesting referee signals and Officials, Jurisdictions, Positions, and Duties
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A list of the major differences in NFL and college football rules:
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PLAY CLOCK
NFL
40/25 seconds -- clock begins at 40 seconds at end of previous play unless there is an administrative stoppage, including a change of possession at which time 25 seconds is used and clock begins after referee declares ball ready for play.
COLLEGE
25 seconds -- clock begins after referee declares ball ready for play.
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LEGAL CLIPPING ZONE
NFL
Legal from tackle to tackle and three yards on either side of line of scrimmage.
COLLEGE
Legal in 10 yard by six yard zone centered on middle offensive lineman.
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TEAM AREA
NFL
Six feet from sideline for coaches and situation substitution players and 12 feet from sideline for all other players and between 32 yard lines.
COLLEGE
Six feet from sideline for coaches and 12 feet from sideline for all other players and between the 25 yard lines.
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INTERCEPTION, CATCH, RECOVERY OF LOOSE BALL
NFL
Legal if two feet inbounds, unless forced out, then legal if player retains the ball when he hits out of bounds.
COLLEGE
Legal if one foot inbounds. If forced out of bounds, voided.
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STOPPAGE OF GAME CLOCK ON FIRST DOWN AWARDED
NFL
Game clock doesn抰 stop unless there is a change of possession.
COLLEGE
Game clock stops when either team is awarded a first down.
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CONTACT BY DEFENSIVE BACKS
NFL
Only one chuck allowed by a defensive player within five yards of line of scrimmage if quarterback is in the pocket.
COLLEGE
May ward off or legally block an eligible receiver until that player occupies the same yard line as the defender or until the ball is thrown.
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EXTENSION OF A PERIOD
NFL
A period may be extended on an accepted penalty against the defense.
COLLEGE
A period may be extended on an accepted penalty against either team.
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OVERTIME PERIOD
NFL
One sudden death period. First team to score wins.
COLLEGE
Not in Division I; except in conferences with two divisions and bowl games. Both teams given equal chances to score from 25-yard line until there is a winner. Untimed.
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FIGHTING
NFL
Player disqualified from game. No carry over to next game.
COLLEGE
Disqualified: First half -- for game. Second half -- for game and first half of next game.Substitutes and coaches -- for game and next game.Second fight -- suspension for remainder of season.
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FREE KICK
NFL
From 30 yard line. No restriction of alignment of kicking team players. If illegally kicked out of bounds, receivers?ball 30 yards from spot of kick.
COLLEGE
From 35-yard line. Minimum of four kicking team players on each side of kicker. If kicked out of bounds: A) Five-yard penalty -- previous spot. B) Receivers?ball 30 yards from spot of kick.C) Receivers?ball at inbounds spot.
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OUTSIDE KICK
NFL
First onside kick that is illegally touched or goes out of bounds illegally, rekick with a 5-yard penalty. For second onside kick that is illegally touched or goes out of bounds illegally, the receiving team is awarded the ball at the spot of illegal touch or out of bounds spot.
COLLEGE
On an onside kick that is illegally touched or goes out of bounds illegally, the receiving team is awarded the ball at the spot of the touch or the out of bounds spot.
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FUMBLE ON A TRY
NFL
First onside kick that is illegally touched or goes out of bounds illegally, rekick with a 5-yard penalty. For second onside kick that is illegally touched or goes out of bounds illegally, the receiving team is awarded the ball at the spot of illegal touch or out of bounds spot.May be advanced only by fumbling player. If a defensive player recovers, try is over.
COLLEGE
May be advanced only by the fumbling player or any defensive player.
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FUMBLE OUT OF BOUNDS IN OPPONENTS' END ZONE
NFL
Touchback.
COLLEGE
Defensive team抯 ball at the spot of fumble.
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HURDLING
NFL
Legal.
COLLEGE
No player may hurdle an opponent, who is on his feet, with knees or feet foremost.
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ILLEGAL AND MANDATORY EQUIPMENT
NFL
Player suspended until equipment is repaired.
COLLEGE
Charged timeout.
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ILLEGAL TOUCHING OF A FORWARD PASS
NFL
If behind line of scrimmage, loss of down only. If beyond line of scrimmage, 10-yard penalty from previous spot, or loss of down.
COLLEGE
Five yards from previous spot and loss of down.
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INBOUND LINES
NFL
70 feet, nine inches from sideline.
COLLEGE
60 feet from sideline.
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PLAYER NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE RECEIVER
NFL
An offensive player numbered 50-79 is ineligible, unless he has reported as eligible.
COLLEGE
An offensive player numbered 50-79 is an ineligible receiver.
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ELIGIBLE RECEIVER GOING OUT OF BOUNDS
NFL
An eligible player who goes out of bounds voluntarily or is forced out of bounds legally cannot be the first player to touch a forward pass after he has re-established himself inbounds.
COLLEGE
An eligible receiver who voluntarily goes out of bounds cannot be an eligible receiver, unless the ball is touched by a defensive player.
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INTENTIONAL GROUNDING
NFL
When the quarterback is in the pocket, he cannot throw the ball away to prevent a loss of yardage. If he is out of the pocket, he can throw the ball away to prevent a loss of yardage if he throws the ball beyond the line of scrimmage.
COLLEGE
If intentionally thrown into an area not occupied by an eligible offensive player to save loss of yardage.
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JERSEY COLOR
NFL
Agreed to prior to season.
COLLEGE
Visiting team wears white unless a change is agreed to prior to season.
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OPPORTUNITY TO A KICK
NFL
No player of the kicking team may interfere with a receiver抯 opportunity to catch a kick. No distance yardage is established near receiver.
COLLEGE
No player on the kicking team may be within two yards of a player positioned to catch a kick.
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PASS INTERFERENCE
NFL
Offense -- 10 yards from previous spot. Defense -- offensive team is awarded a first down at the spot of the foul, unless the foul occurs in the end zone at which time the ball is spotted at the one yard line.
COLLEGE
Offense -- 15 yards from previous spot. Defense -- First down at spot of foul if less than 15 yards beyond the neutral zone. First down, 15 yards from previous spot if foul is more than 15 yards beyond the neutral zone.
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PASS THROWN TO CONSERVE TIME
NFL
In the last two minutes of either half, if the pass is beyond the line of scrimmage, five-yard penalty and 10-second run-off.
COLLEGE
Five yards and loss of down from previous spot if foul occurs beyond neutral zone. Clock starts on ready for play signal.
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GAME CLOCK STARTS AFTER PENALTIES
NFL
If outside last two minutes of first half or last five minutes of second half, start the game clock on the ready for play signal if the penalty stopped the clock. If not, start the game clock on the snap. In the last two minutes of the first half or the last five minutes of the second half, the game clock starts on the snap after all penalties.
COLLEGE
Start the game clock on the ready for play signal if the penalty stopped the clock. If not, start the game clock on the snap. The clock starts on the snap following a delay penalty when the team is in a scrimmage kick formation.
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OFFENSIVE PENALTIES BEHIND LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
NFL
Enforced from previous spot, unless in end zone, then it is a safety.
COLLEGE
Enforced from spot of foul.
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LIVE BALL/DEAD BALL FOULS
NFL
If by opponents, they are offset. If a multiple foul by the same team, only one penalty is enforced unless there is an unusual delay.
COLLEGE
Live ball fouls followed by dead ball fouls are administered separately and in order of occurrence.
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PLACE LOOSE BALL FROM SNAPPER, a.k.a. "FUMBLEROOSKI"
NFL
No restriction.
COLLEGE
An offensive player may not advance a placed loose ball in the vicinity of the snapper.
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PROHIBITED FIELD EQUIPMENT
NFL
Still photos allowed in bench area.
COLLEGE
TV replays, motion pictures, film, facsimile machines, video tapes, writing transmission, computers.
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PROHIBITED SIGNAL DEVICES TO PLAYERS
NFL
Coach-to-Quarterback Electronic Audio System is allowed.
COLLEGE
Electronic, mechanical or other signal devices for any type of communication.
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RUNNING INTO OR ROUGHING KICKER
NFL
If defender is blocked into kicker there is no foul.
COLLEGE
A defensive player legally blocked into the kicker or holder by a member of the kicking team is not exempt from fouls for running into or roughing the kicker or holder.
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SNAP
NFL
Snap is a backward pass and can be advanced by any player.
COLLEGE
Snap is a backward pass and may not be advanced by the defense.
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TEAM TIMEOUTS
NFL
Each team is allowed three per half. In overtime, each team is allowed an additional two timeouts.
COLLEGE
Each team is allowed three per half and one for each extra period.
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TIMEOUT FOR INJURED PLAYER
NFL
If the player leaves the field there is no charged time out. Game clock will start on ready for play signal dependent on its status prior to the injury.
COLLEGE
No time runs off the clock but the clock is started on the ready for play signal.
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PLACEMENT OF BALL ON A PAT TRY
NFL
Two-yard line.
COLLEGE
Three-yard line.
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PAT TRY OVER
NFL
Defense cannot score on a try.
COLLEGE
Defense may advance an intercepted pass, fumble or blocked kick and score two points.
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UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
NFL
Severity of penalty determines if player remains in the game.
COLLEGE
Second penalty on a player during a game; disqualification.
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UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL
NFL
Returned to spot of kick if outside 20-yard line. If spot of kick is inside 20-yard line, ball is put in play at 20-yard line.
COLLEGE
Returned to previous spot or 20-yard line if snapped inside 20-yard line.
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FAIR CATCH KICK
NFL
Allowed to score a successful field goal.
COLLEGE
Not allowed.
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OFFENSIVE TEAM CONSERVING TIME OR EXCESS TIME OUT IN LAST TWO MINUTES
NFL
10-second run-off.
COLLEGE
No special rule.
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RUNNER DOWN INBOUNDS
NFL
Contact by opponent is required.
COLLEGE
No contact by opponent required.
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KICKOFF THAT HITS IN END ZONE
NFL
Receiver must possess ball. If a kicker recovers, it would be a touchdown.
COLLEGE
If untouched by receivers -- touchback.
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KICKING TEAM PLAYER OUT OF BOUNDS ON A FREE KICK OR SCRIMMAGE KICK
NFL
Can return inbounds, but cannot be the first to touch the ball.
COLLEGE
Cannot return inbounds if voluntarily went out of bounds.
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KEEPING PUNTED BALL OUT OF END ZONE
NFL
Kicking team player can legally bat the ball back into the field of play, as long as he has not touched in the end zone. If kicking team member is touching in end zone and downs ball in field of play, it is touchback.
COLLEGE
Kicking team player can bat the ball back into the field of play as long as the ball has not broken the plane of the goal line. Ball breaking plane of goal line results in touchback. If kicking team member is touching in end zone and downs ball in field of play, ball is placed at spot of recovery.
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DEAD BALL FOUL AFTER A TOUCHDOWN
NFL
Penalty enforced on succeeding kickoff.
COLLEGE
Penalty assessed on either the try or succeeding kickoff.
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LEGAL FOOTBALL
NFL
No white stripes.
COLLEGE
Two white stripes located on the two panels adjacent to the laces.
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ADVANCE A BACKWARD PASS
NFL
Any player may advance.
COLLEGE
If ball hits the ground, the defense cannot recover and advance. If backward pass is intercepted, defense may advance.
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HANDING BALL FORWARD
NFL
Considered a forward pass. Considered a fumble if muffed behind line of scrimmage to an eligible receiver.
COLLEGE
Considered a fumble when muffed anywhere on the field of play.
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HALFTIME LENGTH
NFL
12 minutes.
COLLEGE
20 minutes.
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LAST TWO MINUTES OF EACH HALF
NFL
Special timing rules.
COLLEGE
No special timing rules.
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SCRIMMAGE KICK CROSSES NEUTRAL ZONE, TOUCHES THE GROUND AND RETURNS BEHIND NEUTRAL ZONE
NFL
If kickers recover the ball, they may advance.
COLLEGE
If kickers recover the ball, they cannot advance.
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INTERCEPTING MOMENTUM
NFL
Applies only to forward pass interceptions; no distance restriction.
COLLEGE
Applies to passes, fumbles, kicks and includes five-yard line.
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SCREEN PASS BEHIND LINE OF SCRIMMAGE
NFL
Ineligible receivers allowed downfield when pass is thrown; cannot block until pass is touched.
COLLEGE
Ineligible receivers are allowed downfield at snap and they can block prior to pass being touched.
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INELIGIBLE PLAYER TOUCHING A FORWARD PASS
NFL
Ball remains in play if intercepted. If pass is caught by an offensive player, the ball is dead.
COLLEGE
Ball remains in play if caught by any player.
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GAME CLOCK STARTING ON KICKOFFS
NFL
When outside last two minutes of either half, game clock starts when ball is kicked. When inside last two minutes of either half, game clock starts when ball is legally touched in field of play.
COLLEGE
Game clock always starts when ball legally touched in field of play.
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GAME CLOCK STOPPAGE ON SACKS
NFL
Game clock stops when quarterback is sacked.
COLLEGE
Game clock does not stop.
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FUMBLE ADVANCED BY A TEAMMATE
NFL
On fourth down or during last two minutes of either half, the ball may be advanced only by the fumbling player or any defensive player.
COLLEGE
No restrictions on who may advance the ball at any time during the game other than on a try or on fourth down.
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ELIGIBLE PLAYERS DOWNFIELD ON SCRIMMAGE KICK
NFL
Only the two widest players in the offensive formation may proceed downfield prior to the ball being kicked.
COLLEGE
No restrictions.
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LOCKED LEGS
NFL
All offensive linemen may lock legs.
COLLEGE
Only center and players on either side of him may lock legs.
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T-QUARTERBACKZ ELIGIBILITY
NFL
A T-formation quarterback is ineligible.
COLLEGE
A T-formation quarterback is an eligible receiver.
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KICKING TEE
NFL
Only a one-inch tee may be used.
COLLEGE
Either a one- or two-inch tee may be used.
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MUFF AFTER FAIR CATCH SIGNAL
NFL
Signaler retains protection after muff if ball remains in air.
COLLEGE
No protection following a muff.
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SUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL OR PAT KICK
NFL
Entire ball must pass inside the outside edge of upright.
COLLEGE
Entire ball must pass inside the inside edge of upright.
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TWO-MINUTE WARNING OF EACH HALF
NFL
Stoppage of game clock two minutes prior to end of each half.
COLLEGE
No two-minute warning.