What are some of the biggest differences between college and pro football?

Question

I know a few differences but I want to see if I've missed anything.

Update: (Game-wise, not the things outside of the game, and the obvious differences like size. It's obvious that college players are much smaller than pro players)

Answer 1

Some of this has already been addressed:

1. Down by contact in the NFL; down if knee touches in college.
2. Pass interference is a spot foul in the NFL; in college, it's a spot foul up to 15 yards.
3. No 2-minute warning in college football.
4. No 5-yard illegal contact rule in college football.
5. Receiver must have 2 feet down in the NFL and catches count if the receiver is pushed out of bounds but would have come down in bounds; in college, only have to get one foot down but defender can push receiver out of bounds to make pass incomplete.
6. Overtime rules are vastly different. In pros, play is as in regulation with the first team scoring winning; if no one scores in 15 minutes, the game ends in a tie. In college, each team is given one possession from the opponent's 25 yard line. If the score is still tied, it continues until there is a difference. Beginning with the third OT, teams must go for 2 point conversion after a TD.
7. Goal posts are wider in college than in the pros, and the hash marks are not lined up with the goalposts (they are wider).

Answer 2

Two minute warning is only used in the pros.
Clock stops after a first down until the chains are moved in college.
Pros have a longer play clock.
There are guidelines on uniform numbers in the pros.
Defensive pass interference places the ball at the sport of the foul in the pros. It's a yardage penalty in college.
Pros use a suddendeath overtime whereas college has an "unconventional" overtime (would take awhile to explain).

Those are some of the main differences in the actual game. It's mostly minor differences.

Answer 3

HS vs College Quality of play: not much difference Cheerleaders: big difference College vs Pro Pro teams take the best from college and discard the rest College teams have a few standouts, it's always the same teams at the end (only the bowl changes) There are 30+ bowl games in college compared to 1 in the pros College is a game of inflated stats vs crap teams No team in the NFL is ever favored by 25.

Answer 4

One big thing is that in college you only need one foot in bounds on a catch, and the NFL requires both feet. Another is that clock in the NFL only stops on timeouts or when you go out of bounds. In college the clock is stopped after every first down and doesn't start back up intil the ref sets the ball. (This makes a hugh difference late in the game if you have no timeouts left) Also college players can were any number they want to without any controversy. (Like the NFL not letting R. Bush wear number 5).

Answer 5

In pro football you must be touched or down by contact. In college if your knee touches the ground you are down. In pro's you need to get 2 feet in to catch a ball going out of bounds in college its 1 foot. In pros the goal post is narrower. In pros the kicker can't use his own ball to kick field goals.

Answer 6

Biggest thing is that the professional players sign a contract and (legally) get paid. College players are "paid" by being able to attend college for free.

Answer 7

size and strength. College is fun compared to the burtal NFL.

Answer 8

size and speed. I can't say money because college atheletes get paid but we just don't see it.

Answer 9

They only have 12 minute quarters.

Answer 10

salary --pro
amatures --college