Posted by NoleCC

By Bill Kristoph

College football fans realize that the NCAA has agreed to standardize instant replay for all of its games. Die-hard college football fans know about the changes to the game clock rules coming in 2006. For all of the crazies out there, here is a list of rule changes for the upcoming season, along with the theory behind them.

1. Excessive crowd noise – The rule has been deleted, since referees could not enforce it. Good job fans!

2. Eye shields – Tinted eye shields are not permitted. This has long been a rule in the NFL, so that trainers do not have to remove the helmet from an injured player to get a look at his eyes.

3. Extra point – If a touchdown is scored at the end of a game and the EP doesn’t affect the outcome, then it is not kicked.

4. Halftime – It’s now 20 minutes unless both teams agree upon a different amount of time prior to the game.

5. Kicking tee – The tee can place the bottom of the ball no higher than 1 inch from the ground. This is an attempt to reduce touchbacks. So those 4 inch tees will be useful only at Notre Dame.

6. Fouls on a kick play from scrimmage – (Wow, that wording is awkward.) Basically, teams can opt to add the 5 yards to the end of a return than to make the opposing team re-kick.

7. Instant Replay – Standard throughout the NCAA now.

8. Game clock – It now starts when the ball hits the kickers foot AND when the referee signals ready for play after a 1st down.

The NCAA is due some credit for trying to shorten the length of some of these marathon games, however the game clock rule will have to be tweaked following this season. Coaches are complaining that the game will be shortened by 10-15 plays, and that they have rush plays in. First, both teams are shortened by 10-15 plays, so it’s an equal situation. Why the coaches are crying about it, who knows? Second, rushing a play in with the new 1st down rule might be tough.

Some adjustments that should be made in 2007 to the rule:

• 1. The clock stopping only occurs within the last 5 minutes of the 2nd and 4th quarters. This keeps the spirit of the rule alive, while cutting time off from the other quarters.
• 2. The same should apply for the out-of-bounds rules. Why stop the clock after EVERY out-of-bounds play?
• 3. Move to a 40 second clock. This will account for the time it takes the lazy refs to spot the ball. (Basically giving a 25 second clock that is currently implemented.)

Kudos, NCAA for trying to speed up the game, and get the fans back to tailgate in under 4 hours!