What's the logic behind giving the other team the ball

[japanvol]

when it's a touchback? Seems like a pretty severe penalty. Can anybody that is more knowledgable about the rules enlighten me ?

[droner]

I don't know the reason behind the rule, I just know that it's the rule. I guess it's to prevent players from just fumbing intentionally into the end zone hoping that a teammate will recover it. If it wasn't a touchback there would be nothing to discourage that.

[japanvol]

It makes sense that you would want to prevent that, but isn't there a separate rule preventing the ball from being fumbled forward?

[droner]

There's a NFL rule about it but I don't know if there is a college rule.

[BanditVol]

I think it's a terrible rule and have always thought so

[Creek Walker]

It is the single stupidest rule in sports and No. 2 isn't even close. This isn't just sour grapes; anyone who watches football with me will tell you that I routinely gripe when it comes up. Matter of fact, some of my buddies and I were discussing it just last week. How on earth this one made it in the rule book, I'll never know.