What Is Targeting? College Football's Most Controversial Rule, Explained

Targeting is still college football’s most controversial, confusion‑prone call — expect plenty of debate among fans and teams this season.
It’s focused on head/neck contact (especially hits above the shoulders or leading with the crown of the helmet), with crown‑of‑the‑helmet hits treated as targeting.
Penalties were softened: fewer automatic carryover suspensions, replay must confirm targeting, and the changes are an experimental tweak for now — so the rule could keep evolving.