In college football, overtime is an extra‑period format that replaces tie games with a series of alternating possessions from the opponent’s 25‑yard line, guaranteeing a winner. The system, instituted by the NCAA in 1996, eliminated the rare but unsatisfying draws that once concluded regular‑season contests.

The rule’s core mechanics—each team receives a chance to score, with sudden‑death kicking rules after the second round—create a clear, equitable resolution while preserving the sport’s competitive drama.