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View Full Version : New Clock Rules in NCAA


TigerVic
09-06-2006, 09:57 AM
I watched the Fla. St.- Miami game Monday night and was appalled by the new rules that start the clock earlier in many situations in an effort to shorten games.

For example, the clock now starts on a kickoff when the kicker's foot touches the ball instead of when the receiver touches it (e.g., time runs during a touchback). On any change of possession, the clock starts once the officials whistle it ready for play, necessitating, for example, trailing teams to hurry on to the field if they just gained possession (or leading teams to take their time)- also necessitates timeouts on first down if the defensive team is trailing. I believe there also is a new rule on when the clock starts on any first down, but I'm not sure what it is yet.

In addition, during the game I watched, significant time was taken off the clock before a replay review was called. The only time put back on the clock was that run off after the whistle for the replay, thus wasting the time used in the huddle, etc. after the disputed play.

These rules are ridiculous. The NCAA and TV networks know how to cut down time- fewer commercials! This is a complete infringement on the game.

By the way, the game I watched still took 3.5 hours to complete. Are we getting more exciting commercial time to make up for the lost football time?

Apparently, all the last second finishes we've seen over the years would now be obsolete (now they'll just need to happen earlier!).

I hope the OHSAA, in its infinite wisdom, isn't watching.

MTown
09-06-2006, 10:24 AM
I noticed that most games were over in about 3 hours with a few exceptions. I agree with you Vic....if you're going to make the games shorter, cut out some commercials. If they can do it for the World Cup then they can do it for college and pro football. College teams do not have great 2 minute drill offenses and I think these new rules will hurt late game comebacks.

However, people like my mom who always complain about the last five minutes of a game taking 45 minutes will LOVE IT.

TigerCoach
09-06-2006, 10:30 AM
If you have watched the high school games for, oh I don't know the last 20 years, you would have noticed that they do the same thing. The clock starts when the ball is put in play, even on a change of possession and a first down. The only thing the high schools don't do is start the clock when the ball is kicked-off, but eventually that could change as well. The OHSAA tends to follow the NCAA in rules changes.

I agree the changes are not needed, just get rid of the long TV time-outs. I also HATE the replay at the college level. It just ruins the game and takes away momentum. Saturday night a Georgia Tech receiver made what looked like a fantastic catch and they had momentum going to maybe upset Notred Dame. The referee ruled it a good catch for a 1st down. But wait, now we have a replay that took about 3 minutes and they reversed the call, forcing Tech to punt and lose that momentum. What makes college football so exciting is the energy and excitement of the game, and the replay just deflates it bad.

longtimefirsttime
09-06-2006, 01:05 PM
How coaches are looking at this depends on their philosophy (whether they hang their hat on the offense or the defense).
http://www.al.com/sports/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/sports/1157016046306820.xml&coll=1

TigerVic
09-06-2006, 03:37 PM
TigerCoach- I've never noticed the clock starting before the snap after a change of possession in high school. I will be careful to watch next time!

Tiger Head
09-06-2006, 04:07 PM
TigerCoach, I think your wrong about the clock starting in high school at the change of possession!!! The start of the clock on first down changed probably 20 some years ago (I like this rule)..

DAWGH8R
09-06-2006, 05:19 PM
These new college rules are affecting the over/under lines for bettors, also !!!:sour:

CarlE
09-06-2006, 06:24 PM
Urban Meyer, new coach at University of Florida was originally in favor of the rule but after one game has completed changed his opinion. I agree. It's idiotic.