Scoring in both the NFL (National Football League) and college football involves the same basic methods: touchdowns are worth six points, after which a team can attempt either a one-point conversion (by kicking the ball through the goalposts) or a two-point conversion (by taking the ball into the end zone again from the two-yard line). Field goals are worth three points, and safeties award two points. However, there are various rules which differ between these two levels of American football.

One key difference is in the handling of overtime. In the NFL, if the game is tied at the end of regulation, it goes into a sudden death overtime, where the first team to score wins. Starting from the 2017 season, each team gets a chance to possess the ball at least once unless the team that has the first possession scores a touchdown. On the other hand, college football uses a more structured overtime format where each team gets a chance to score from the opponent’s 25-yard line in alternating possessions.

Another notable difference is in the rules for pass interference. In the NFL, defensive pass interference results in the offense advancing the ball to the spot of the foul, which can sometimes result in substantial yardage gains. However, in college football, defensive pass interference is typically a 15-yard penalty, regardless of where the foul occurred, unless the interference is deemed incidental, in which case it would be less. This difference can significantly affect the strategy used in passing plays.

From my understanding, though I’ve just started getting into football more deeply, the NFL seems much more commercial and the rules a bit complex especially around things like pass interference where they spot the ball right at the place of the foul, which seems harsh. College football feels more about the spirit of the game and has simpler pass interference rules, just a 15-yard penalty generally. Overtime procedures are also quite contrasting; where NFL had this sudden death thing going, college games feel like they can drag cause of their back-and-forth scoring system from the 25-yard line.

So, like, in college football if the game’s tied at the end of the fourth quarter, each team gets a shot from the opponent’s 25-yard line until they keep scoring the same, you know. It’s pretty cool cause it can go on for a couple of rounds, and it’s super intense! NFL’s a bit different cause they’ve got this sudden death vibe but recently changed it to give each team a fair shot in overtime, which is decent ’cause it sucked when a team lost without touching the ball. Oh, and yeah, NFL pass interference can literally change the game since they place the ball where the foul happened. College? Not so dramatic, just 15 yards penalty. Man, games can get intense with these rules!