Can a Bowl Game End in a Tie?
Every year, millions of college football fans tune in to watch the much-anticipated bowl games. But what if the score remains tied at the end of the game? Is it possible for a bowl game to end in a tie?
What is a Bowl Game?
Bowl games are college football postseason games usually sponsored by a particular company and aired on television. The most well-known of these bowl games is the College Football Playoff National Championship.
What is the Bowl Game Tiebreaker?
In the event of a tie, the game can go into overtime. The NCAA Rules Committee disallows ties in all post-season games, including bowl games. If the score is still tied at the end of overtime, there are three different ways to determine the winner:
- Coin toss: The two teams involved must call a coin toss to determine the winner.
- Field Goal Kicks: This tie-breaking procedure requires each team to attempt a field goal kick, alternating turns until one team misses.
- Alternating Possession: In this tie-breaking procedure, each team has a chance to score until one is successful.
What are the Chances of a Bowl Game Ending in a Tie?
The chance of a bowl game ending in a tie is quite low – only 1.7% of all bowl games since the 1935-36 season have ended in a tie. It is even more unlikely for the game to go into overtime – only 0.3% of all bowl games since the 1935-36 have gone into overtime.
Conclusion
Although the chances of a bowl game ending in a tie are slim, it is still possible. The NCAA rules committee does not allow for any ties, so if a tie should occur, it will be decided by a coin toss, field goal kicks, or alternating possession.
