Overview

Bowl Bound is Sports Illustrated’s college football replay/simulation game. Two players use color-coded Team Charts based on actual college team statistics to simulate football games play by play. Each player secretly selects offensive plays or defensive formations, rolls special game dice, and cross-references results on their Team Charts. A Priority Chart resolves conflicting results. The game includes both Basic and Advanced rules, covering penalties, special teams, weather, and various offensive/defensive options.

Components

• Color-coded Team Charts (one per college team/season)
• Rules folder (Basic and Advanced Rules)
• 2 Special charts (Legend, Priority Chart, Timing Chart, Squib Kickoff Return Chart, play selection)
• Playing field
• Football marker and Yards-to-go marker
• 5 Special game dice:
  • 3 Offensive dice (1 black, 2 white)
  • 2 Defensive dice (1 red, 1 green)
• Power Ratings and Yardage Factors Chart
• Scorepad

Setup

1. Each player selects a team and takes the corresponding Team Chart.
2. Place the football marker on the playing field.
3. One player is the home team; coin toss determines who kicks/receives.
4. Prepare the special dice, scorepad, and timing chart.

Turn Structure

Play follows the same sequence as actual college football:

1. Play Selection

The offensive player secretly chooses a play from their Offensive Team Chart. The defensive player simultaneously chooses a defensive formation from the Defensive Team Chart.

2. Dice Roll

• Offensive dice: Roll 1 black die and 2 white dice. Total = (10 x black die) + (sum of white dice). Range: 10-39.
• Defensive dice: Roll 1 red die and 1 green die. Total = sum. Range: 1-5.

3. Play Resolution

• Offensive result: Cross-reference the selected play column with the offensive dice total on the Offensive Team Chart.
• Defensive result: Cross-reference the offensive play column with the defensive dice total (in the column of the selected defensive formation) on the Defensive Team Chart.

4. Priority Chart

Combine offensive and defensive results using the Priority Chart to determine the final outcome. The chart shows which result overrules or instructs you to combine both.

5. Play Outcome

Move the football marker according to the final result. Record time elapsed on the Timing Chart.

6. Game Continuation

Continue alternating plays until the game clock expires (4 quarters).

Actions

Offensive Play Types

• Standard running plays
• Standard passing plays
• Breakaways, Quarterback Runs, and Quarterback Traps
• Option plays
• Razzle-Dazzle plays (Advanced)
• Quarterback Sneak (Advanced)
• Hail Mary (Advanced)
• Hurry-Up Offense (Advanced)

Defensive Formation Types

Six defensive formations available per team, each with different strengths against various offensive plays.

Advanced Defensive Options

• Wild Card Defense
• Run and Pass Defenses
• Nickel Zone Defense
• Red Zone Defense

Special Teams

• Kickoffs and kickoff returns
• Punts and punt returns
• Field goal attempts
• Point after touchdown (conversion)
• Onside kickoffs
• Squib kickoffs

Kicking Options (Advanced)

• Various kickoff options
• Punt options
• Fake options
• All-out kick rush
• Free block option

Scoring / Victory Conditions

Scoring follows standard college football rules:

• Touchdown: 6 points
• Extra Point (kick): 1 point
• Two-Point Conversion: 2 points
• Field Goal: 3 points
• Safety: 2 points

The team with the most points at the end of 4 quarters wins. Overtime rules follow college football conventions.

Special Rules & Edge Cases

Penalties

• Resolved through specific penalty tables based on dice rolls.
• Penalty types include: offensive penalty before snap (OFF 5A), offensive holding, pass interference, defensive offsides, etc.
• Some penalties result in loss of down, repeat of down, or automatic first down.

Variable Yardage

Some chart entries show variable yardage (e.g., “5-15” yards). Roll additional dice to determine exact yardage within the range.

Interceptions

Resolved through specific chart entries. Interception returns are determined by additional dice rolls.

Fumbles and Blocked Kicks

Special resolution procedures for fumbles (who recovers, return yardage) and blocked kicks.

Asterisk and Dagger Symbols

Special symbols on Team Charts that trigger additional resolution steps or modified outcomes.

Weather Effects (Advanced)

Weather conditions (rain, snow, wind, extreme cold) modify passing accuracy, kicking distance, and fumble frequency.

Power Ratings (Advanced)

System for handicapping mismatched teams using point spreads and yardage factors to create more balanced contests.

Alternate Timing Method (Advanced)

More detailed timing system that tracks actual clock management strategies including hurry-up offense and running out the clock.

Elected Safeties (Advanced)

Offensive team may elect to take a safety in certain game situations.

Player Reference

Sequence of Play:

1. Secretly select offensive play / defensive formation
2. Roll offensive dice (black + 2 white) and defensive dice (red + green)
3. Look up offensive result on Offensive Team Chart
4. Look up defensive result on Defensive Team Chart
5. Combine results on Priority Chart for final outcome
6. Move football marker, record time

Dice Ranges:

Dice	Components	Range
Offensive	1 black (x10) + 2 white (sum)	10-39
Defensive	1 red + 1 green	1-5

Scoring: TD=6, XP=1, 2PT=2, FG=3, Safety=2