College football’s targeting rule could become more stringent

The targeting rule is the most griped about and inconsistent rule in college football, and it could get worse.

The NCAA Football Rules Committee will meet in Orlando, Florida next week to discuss possible modifications to the instant replay/targeting rule, including giving instant replay officials greater power to make targeting calls that weren’t originally made on the field.

In 2014, the targeting rule was expanded to allow the replay booth to review the original targeting call on the field and either confirm or overturn it.

The targeting rule already has drawn the ire of coaches, players and fans not because of the principle of the rule, but the inconsistent way its often applied. There’s a fine line between targeting and making a football tackle that it’s become difficult for some players — mostly defensive players — to play the game as aggressively as they have in the past.

The above GIF shows Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa making a hit on Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer in the first quarter of the Fiesta Bowl. Bosa was ejected for targeting.

The targeting rule is good in theory because it improves safety, however, it’s also dramatically changes the way players play the game. Some would even say it’s made the game soft. Perhaps instead of adding more ways for players to be called for targeting, the NCAA Football Rules Committee should come up with concrete language for targeting so that the call isn’t as subjective (and frustrating) as it’s been in the past.

The NCAA Football Rules Committee also will review whether to have medical spotters in the press box on a permanent basis. This rule was implemented for the 2015 season as an experiment.

Other rules discussed will include:

• Shoring up consistency when calling ineligible players downfield.

• Giving a player who is running the ball and gives himself up via slide defenseless player protections.

• Whether computers/tablets can be used on the sidelines for coaching purposes. Electronic equipment of the sidelines for coaching is currently banned.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday

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