if the targeting rule were two separate rules, which it actually is defined that way in the NCAA Football Rulebook. Most announcers seem to not understand the rule very well. Admittedly it is a bit confusing, but it makes more sense if you think about it as two separate rules.

Targeting and Making Forcible Contact With the Crown of the Helmet

ARTICLE 3. No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown of their helmet. The crown of the helmet is the top segment of the helmet; namely, the circular area defined by a 6-inch radius from the apex (top) of the helmet. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul. (Rule 9-6) (A.R. 9-1-3-I)

Note 1: “Targeting” means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
• Launch. A player leaving their feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area.
• A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground.
• Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
• Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.

This definition of targeting is pretty specific. If a player has an "indicator" of targeting (launch, crouch, lead w/helmet, or lower head before attack) AND they forcibly hit an opponent with the crown of the helmet, it is targeting. This definition of targeting is pretty specific and well defined.

If you're wondering where the "crown" of the helmet is, the first video in the link below is a good place to start:


Where things get more confusing is with the second definition of targeting. This definition involves the criteria of a "defenseless player" as defined below. When a player is defenseless, they are better protected under the targeting rules as opposed to a "ball carrier" who would be less protected.

Targeting and Making Forcible Contact to Head or Neck Area of a Defenseless Player

ARTICLE 4. No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent (See Note 2 below) with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6). (A.R. 9-1-4-I-VI)

Note the broader language. If the player is "defenseless" then targeting expands from the crown of the helmet to include any part of the helmet, in addition to the forearm, hand, fist, elbow, or shoulder. The same indicators of targeting apply, but the points of contact are expanded.

Note 2: Defenseless player (Rule 2-27-14). When in question, a player is defenseless. Examples of defenseless players include but are not limited to:
• A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass. This includes an offensive player in a passing posture with focus downfield.
• A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass or in position to receive a backward pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier.
• A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kick or the return.
• A kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick, or one who has completed a catch or recovery and has not had time to protect themselves or has not clearly become a ball carrier.

So if you are wondering why BYU's targeting was overturned while the ND targeting was not overturned, it comes down to whether the player being hit was a "ball carrier" as was the case with Jeudy-Lally's hit, or if it was a "defenseless player" as was the case with the ND hit. You can have the same exact hit, and one can be targeting and the other not be targeting based on the state of the player being hit.

This rule isn't well understood by most fans, so hopefully this helps.