Sep 25, 2025 - Sports
SEC averages most penalties in college football
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SEC schools clock the most penalties per college football game, on average, according to Action Network data.
Why it matters: The wrong penalty at the wrong time could cost you a win.
Zoom in: SEC schools averaged 6.4 penalties per game over the past five seasons, the data shows. LSU averaged 5.9 per game.
- Meanwhile, Air Force (3.76), Iowa (3.92) and Army (3.98) were the biggest rule-followers as the only schools averaging less than four penalties per game, the data shows.
- Their programs still won, combining for a 121-61 record since 2020.
The other side: The Blazers of the University of Alabama at Birmingham averaged the most penalties (7.96) per contest.
- The football team's record through five seasons is 29-30.
How it works: Action Network tracked penalties per game for every Division I college football program over the past five seasons.
- The national average was 5.97 infractions per contest.
The bottom line: Clean play isn't everything, but winning teams don't have to break the rules.