The NCAA Rules Committee (and TV execs I’m sure) have decided to go ahead and propose changing up the rules to make the games quicker in addition to other potential changes. The rule changes are listed numbered one through six with our thoughts on each change below under the corresponding number.1) After a player runs out of bounds and the ball is made ready to play, the game clock will start. Under the old rules the game clock would not start until the ball was snapped. This new rule will not apply in the last two minutes of the first half and the last two minutes of the game.
2) A coach will get an extra instant replay challenge if his first one is correct. Under the old rule the coach had one challenge whether he was right or wrong. Under the new rule the coach will get one extra challenge if his first is upheld.
3) If a kickoff goes out of bounds, the receiving team will have the option of taking the ball on its own 40-yard line. The previous rule gave the receiving team the ball on the 35-yard line.
4) The incidental 5-yard facemask penalty has been eliminated. The only facemask penalties that will be called will be for 15 yards.
5) There will no longer be sideline warnings for players and coaches who crowd onto the field during the game. The official may assess a 5-yard penalty without a warning for the infraction.
6) The first is the implementation of a 40/25-second play clock, similar to that of the NFL. At the end of every play, the 40-second clock will start, which is the rule in the NFL. On a change of possession, the first play will be run on a 25-second clock.
WRAS was initially hesitant about this because it enjoys spending as much time watching college football as possible and longer means more commercials, right?
But further examination leads us to believe it might not be all that bad, especially when you consider the fast-paced Spread Eagle attack Auburn will be using this year.
1) This rule we’re not really fond of. It boils down to the fact that there are a lot of out of bounds plays and this will shorten the game. It’s better than the changes made before the 2006 season but we’ll have to see how it plays out.
2) This is a slam dunk and a coach shouldn’t be penalized for making a good challenge that is proven correct.
3) Makes it even more important to have a accurate kickoff specialist. Auburn’s new quick strike offense should benefit from this. Hopefully the Tigers are able to find a more consistent kicker because even a defense as good as Auburn’s will have a hard time consistently defending a short field like this.
4) Not so sure about this rule, why let go of a facemask (even if grabbed accidentally) if you’re getting 15 yards regardless. Might as well bring him down. Not that we’re accusing anyone of intentionally doing harm this way but you never know what someone might do in a split second.
5) Will take some getting used to by the coaches as I’ve never seen a 5-yard penalty called for this. This could be the only silver lining to Coach Will “Boom” Muschamp leaving for Texas. He’ll probably lead the nation in this category. Though Coach Tuberville will give it a run. How many yards would CTT have gotten for that all-time rant versus the Florida Gators last year?
6) This is the biggest rule change. At first glance it did not appeal to us. It seemed that this would hinder a fast-break style of offense like the Spread Eagle. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said, "I think it favors the teams that run the no-huddle. That gives the quarterback a bunch more time to stand up there and read the defense." Coach Tony Franklin also seems to think this will help his offense in that it keeps the defense in their stances longer, helping to wear them out sooner all the while running the no-huddle that keeps defenses from substituting as frequently as they would like.
We’ll give these rules a chance before making a final judgment but one thing’s for sure this can’t be as bad as 2006.
No comments:
Post a Comment