Georgia Tech and Georgia’s college football showdown required an astonishing eight overtime periods on Saturday night – sparking a fierce debate between football fans online.
Unlike in the NFL, college football’s overtime system does not involve a game clock that could run out and result in a tie, with a second overtime period required if the two teams can not be separated after one drive each.
In that second period, both teams have to go for two-point conversions if they score a touchdown, and if they still find themselves level after another drive each, the game then turns into a straight shootout of two-point attempts from the third onwards.
As a result, Georgia Tech and Georgia went back and forth in a staggering eight overtimes before the Bulldogs eventually scored a two-point conversion without reply from the Yellow Jackets.
The two rivals were only one more overtime period short of tying the all-time college football record, which was set by Illinois and Penn State back in October 2021.
Yet after watching that insane battle play out, football fans are split on whether college football’s overtime rules are better than the NFL’s.
Georgia Tech and Georgia’s college football showdown required an astonishing eight overtimes
Georgia eventually claimed victory after winning the sixth two-point conversion shootout
Fans are split on whether college football’s overtime approach is better than the NFL’s
In the top flight, teams are able to win in overtime by scoring on their very first possession – meaning there is a chance someone could lose without touching the ball.
And as a result, some fans are adamant that NFL chiefs need to scrap their current approach and follow the college football blueprint.
One user wrote on X after the Georgia Tech-Georgia madness: ‘The NFL has to go to College Football rules on overtime. The current NFL overtime rules are the stupidest in all sports!’
‘Too bad people don’t want these Overtime rules in the NFL because “we don’t want games to go on forever,”‘ said another.
A third put: ‘College overtime is MILES better than NFL overtime. Not even remotely close.’
While one simply said: ‘This is the overtime the NFL robbed us of’.
However, others argued the complete opposite after bemoaning the length of time it took for Georgia to finally get the better of Georgia Tech.
‘I can’t believe people like college overtime rules over NFL overtime rules,’ one user commented.
NFL teams can win on their first drive, meaning it is possible to lose without touching the ball
Social-media users can not agree on which overtime rules are better entertainment for fans
Another posted: ‘College overtime rules are dumb. Can’t believe people Want this in the NFL’
A third wrote: ‘These overtime rules are pathetic. I’ll take the NFL rules over this 2 point garbage.’
A fourth concluded: ‘NFL overtime is so much better than this.’
While one seemed to suggest both systems were deeply flawed: ‘College football overtime went from the best to the second worst in sports, only outdone by NFL overtimes.’
