New rules for 2008

[quietfan 233]

Just FYI:

http://www.al.com/auburnfootball/

It didn't attract a lot of attention, but the NCAA recently approved all of the changes recommended by the football rules committee. All will go into effect next season.

Here they are:

* The 25-second clock is gone. Instead, the college game will be like the NFL. There will be a 40-second clock that will start immediately after the end of each play. Previously, the 25-second clock didn't start until the ball was marked ready to play by the officials.

.

* The clock will stop when a player goes out of bounds, but the clock will restart when the ball is marked ready for play. Previously, the clock did not start until the ball was snapped. The new rule will not apply in the final two minutes of the first half or the final two minutes of the game.

* All facemask penalties will be 15 yards. There will no 5-yard incidental facemask penalty. That's a return to the rules of the 1970s.

* When a kickoff goes out of bounds, the receiving team will have the option of taking the ball on its 40-yard line, instead of the 35 as the past. This is another change that copies the NFL.

* Coaches who use an instant replay challenge will get an extra one if a challenge is upheld. Previously, coaches had just one challenge, regardless of what the ruling was.

* There will no longer be sideline warnings for players and coaches who crowd the field during games. Instead, officials can assess a 5-yard penalty without warning.

* A "horse collar" tackle, in which a defender grabs a runner inside the back of his shoulder pads, will now be a personal foul.

Those are some significant changes. It will be interesting to see just how much they affect the game.

[WarTim 3,524]

I like the 15 yd facemask rule. It seems we NEVER got the 15 yarder callled in our favor and ALWAYS got it called against us.

[aubiescottie 1]

Definitely some interesting rule changes, and I think it will help speed up the game the right way, not some gimmicky clock starting on change of posession or when the ball is kicked on the kickoff. Overall though, I think games taking so long is really the fault of the officials. How many times do they stand around in a huddle figuring out where to mark the ball after penalty or just discussing a penalty in general.

"False start-ok everyone, huddle up and discuss for 2 minutes" NFL: false start, referree turns and immediately announces the penalty, and the rest of the zebras are already spotting the ball. It takes 10 secs.

Taking the ball on the 40 is a significant change, and I think having the horse collar tackle be a PF is another good rule.

I'm not sure how I feel about the facemask thing. Do you think referees will be a little more lenient on what the call facemasking? For example, using the old rules, a tackle might be a borderline 5 yarder/ no call, official throws the flag cause no one is going to get up in arms about a 5 yarder. Now because its a 15 yarder no matter what, and will obviously be a lot more scrutinized, will the official just keep the flag in his pocket.

[BamaGrad03 0]

I just don't like anything that changes the game in favor of "shortening" it...until we put pressure on CBS and others to change how many commercials they air.

College sports, it's sad to say, are more about money than anything related to sport or competition.

[au2004ece 30]

Definitely some interesting rule changes, and I think it will help speed up the game the right way, not some gimmicky clock starting on change of posession or when the ball is kicked on the kickoff. Overall though, I think games taking so long is really the fault of the officials. How many times do they stand around in a huddle figuring out where to mark the ball after penalty or just discussing a penalty in general.

"False start-ok everyone, huddle up and discuss for 2 minutes" NFL: false start, referree turns and immediately announces the penalty, and the rest of the zebras are already spotting the ball. It takes 10 secs.

Taking the ball on the 40 is a significant change, and I think having the horse collar tackle be a PF is another good rule.

I'm not sure how I feel about the facemask thing. Do you think referees will be a little more lenient on what the call facemasking? For example, using the old rules, a tackle might be a borderline 5 yarder/ no call, official throws the flag cause no one is going to get up in arms about a 5 yarder. Now because its a 15 yarder no matter what, and will obviously be a lot more scrutinized, will the official just keep the flag in his pocket.

Why in the world would a football fan think the games are taking too long? There are only 12 per year.

[autiger311 0]

Definitely some interesting rule changes, and I think it will help speed up the game the right way, not some gimmicky clock starting on change of posession or when the ball is kicked on the kickoff. Overall though, I think games taking so long is really the fault of the officials. How many times do they stand around in a huddle figuring out where to mark the ball after penalty or just discussing a penalty in general.

"False start-ok everyone, huddle up and discuss for 2 minutes" NFL: false start, referree turns and immediately announces the penalty, and the rest of the zebras are already spotting the ball. It takes 10 secs.

Taking the ball on the 40 is a significant change, and I think having the horse collar tackle be a PF is another good rule.

I'm not sure how I feel about the facemask thing. Do you think referees will be a little more lenient on what the call facemasking? For example, using the old rules, a tackle might be a borderline 5 yarder/ no call, official throws the flag cause no one is going to get up in arms about a 5 yarder. Now because its a 15 yarder no matter what, and will obviously be a lot more scrutinized, will the official just keep the flag in his pocket.

Why in the world would a football fan think the games are taking too long? There are only 12 per year.

because football fans like seeing action on the field, not referees standing around waiting for a tv timeout or figuring out a call. the less downtime the better.

[AUBURNJAC 53]

I like all of these new rules.....I hope the refs don't go to far with the horse collar rule or the facemask rule though. That 40 second thing is a welcomed change if you ask me. And yes, CBS is gonna be PISSED!!! I can't believe that nothing much has been said about these changes really, b/c they all seem pretty significant to me as well.

WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!

CAN'T WAIT FOR 08' (Wouldn't it be cool if we had ALREADY beaten Bama 7 times, so we could say 8 in 08') We could "retroactively" go back and claim a win I guess!

[DCWarEagle 0]

I like the rule about the coaches getting another replay challenge if their first challenge is upheld. I always thought it was dumb that they only got one, and that even if they were right they could not challenge another bad call.

[aubiescottie 1]

Definitely some interesting rule changes, and I think it will help speed up the game the right way, not some gimmicky clock starting on change of posession or when the ball is kicked on the kickoff. Overall though, I think games taking so long is really the fault of the officials. How many times do they stand around in a huddle figuring out where to mark the ball after penalty or just discussing a penalty in general.

"False start-ok everyone, huddle up and discuss for 2 minutes" NFL: false start, referree turns and immediately announces the penalty, and the rest of the zebras are already spotting the ball. It takes 10 secs.

Taking the ball on the 40 is a significant change, and I think having the horse collar tackle be a PF is another good rule.

I'm not sure how I feel about the facemask thing. Do you think referees will be a little more lenient on what the call facemasking? For example, using the old rules, a tackle might be a borderline 5 yarder/ no call, official throws the flag cause no one is going to get up in arms about a 5 yarder. Now because its a 15 yarder no matter what, and will obviously be a lot more scrutinized, will the official just keep the flag in his pocket.

Why in the world would a football fan think the games are taking too long? There are only 12 per year.

because football fans like seeing action on the field, not referees standing around waiting for a tv timeout or figuring out a call. the less downtime the better.

exactly.

[WinCrimson 61]

* A "horse collar" tackle, in which a defender grabs a runner inside the back of his shoulder pads, will now be a personal foul.

Stupid.

[aubiescottie 1]

* A "horse collar" tackle, in which a defender grabs a runner inside the back of his shoulder pads, will now be a personal foul.

Stupid.

Moron. You just think its stupid because it hurts teams with poor fundamentals....

[kwagoner 214]

* A "horse collar" tackle, in which a defender grabs a runner inside the back of his shoulder pads, will now be a personal foul.

Stupid.

Not-so-stupid

Seriously????

That is the best of all the changes. You are too vulerable to serious injuries from the hips down. Click the link, read, then watch the video. The last part shows it best.

[Ranger12 53]

All like of all those except the sideline warning rule. I would hate for a ref to have a itchy trigger finger on that one.

[kwagoner 214]

I just don't like anything that changes the game in favor of "shortening" it...until we put pressure on CBS and others to change how many commercials they air.

College sports, it's sad to say, are more about money than anything related to sport or competition.

I think they will change the number of commercials. My bet is that the same time is allotted for the game, but it is shortened therefore adding more commercial time.

You are right. It's sad to see collegiate (well all really) athletics come to being driven mainly by money.

[lukeduke 8]

I just don't like anything that changes the game in favor of "shortening" it...until we put pressure on CBS and others to change how many commercials they air.

College sports, it's sad to say, are more about money than anything related to sport or competition.

Good point...it makes it even worse in the stands when you are standing there and the red hat dude won't get off the field. I say let the networks know they have 2 1/2 minutes and the ball is marked ready for play regardless of whether or not you are still showing commercials. Oh, and Mr. Red Hat, I would suggest you get your a$$ off the field.

[WinCrimson 61]

* A "horse collar" tackle, in which a defender grabs a runner inside the back of his shoulder pads, will now be a personal foul.

Stupid.

Moron. You just think its stupid because it hurts teams with poor fundamentals....

No. I think it's stupid because it goes against everything that is football. This isn't a game for the meek and mild hearted.

Intentionally dirty plays should be banned. However, I don't think the horse collar tackle is an intentionally dirty play. It's no chop block.

[BigSammyK 171]

Was it Lester that had a fumble late last season after he was grabbed by the collar near the sidelines? I can't remember which game it was, and don't have the time right now to look it up, but we were inside the other team's 30 and he was taken down from behind as he neared the sideline.

[au2004ece 30]

Why in the world would a football fan think the games are taking too long? There are only 12 per year.

because football fans like seeing action on the field, not referees standing around waiting for a tv timeout or figuring out a call. the less downtime the better.

How can the new rules, where the clock will be running when it would not have been running in the past (after ball spotted after out of bounds plays), reduce the amount of downtime or referee dithering? Do you understand that having the clock run more will reduce the amount of action on the field, but there will still be the same amount of dithering by refs? Therefore, there will be a higher percentage of the overall time devoted to referee dithering.

[Ravad 78]

* A "horse collar" tackle, in which a defender grabs a runner inside the back of his shoulder pads, will now be a personal foul.

Stupid.

Moron. You just think its stupid because it hurts teams with poor fundamentals....

No. I think it's stupid because it goes against everything that is football. This isn't a game for the meek and mild hearted.

Intentionally dirty plays should be banned. However, I don't think the horse collar tackle is an intentionally dirty play. It's no chop block.

Is the NFL meek and mild?

[aubiescottie 1]

Why in the world would a football fan think the games are taking too long? There are only 12 per year.

because football fans like seeing action on the field, not referees standing around waiting for a tv timeout or figuring out a call. the less downtime the better.

How can the new rules, where the clock will be running when it would not have been running in the past (after ball spotted after out of bounds plays), reduce the amount of downtime or referee dithering? Do you understand that having the clock run more will reduce the amount of action on the field, but there will still be the same amount of dithering by refs? Therefore, there will be a higher percentage of the overall time devoted to referee dithering.

Well one thing is with the 40 second clock. It forces the referees to get up there and spot the ball. If they continually are slow spotting the ball and have to contstantly reset the play clock or aren't giving teams sufficient time at the line of scrimmage because THEY screwed up, the league and coaches will be all over them. Before, the refs had as much time as they wanted to spot the ball (sometimes with the game clock running and wasting actual gametime) because the playclock only started when the ball was set. Now, to give teams sufficient time, they effectively have 15 seconds; it just keeps the game moving.

[mowegl 4]

* A "horse collar" tackle, in which a defender grabs a runner inside the back of his shoulder pads, will now be a personal foul.

Stupid.

Not-so-stupid

Seriously????

That is the best of all the changes. You are too vulerable to serious injuries from the hips down. Click the link, read, then watch the video. The last part shows it best.

I'm with WinCrimson on this one. The horse collar rule is dumb. Tackling is tackling as long as you arent using the facemask. And as far as fundamentals go, if you're running properly you should'nt be able to be tackled by a horse-collar. Why don't we just outlaw blind side blocks and big hits while were at it. You can get hurt doing that too.

[mcgufcm 4,109]

Bull crap. The horse collar is nothing that you can prevent as a runner, AND it's a dirty play that results in an inordinate amount of serious injuries. Blind side blocks and big hits may hurt, but horse collaring results in broken ankles quite frequently (Roy Williams, the guy the rule was made for in the NFL, broke two legs/ankles in one year and did it to another guy the next... and that's just one player). It's a crap play that either bails out out-of-position defenders or a dirty play that amounts to intentionally trying to hurt a player. Love the rule change.

[mowegl 4]

It's called forward lean, and it's why you never see our runners getting pulled down from behind like that. And if you are running upright and you happen to get caught from behind like that, then if you let yourself go down instead of still trying to run and fall back onto your feet/ankles you'd be fine. It can be prevented.

Offensive players are just patsys.

[aumd03 2]

Was it Lester that had a fumble late last season after he was grabbed by the collar near the sidelines? I can't remember which game it was, and don't have the time right now to look it up, but we were inside the other team's 30 and he was taken down from behind as he neared the sideline.

It was Lester and in the Arkansas game. I think it was inside the 10. I remember him saying his shoulder pad strap came lose and his shoulder pads were being pulled off. He said it pulled his arm up and he couldn't hold the ball.

[mcgufcm 4,109]

So what you're saying is it can be prevented as long as you stop running hard when someone cheaply grabs the inside of your pads at the neck and pulls back with all their weight? You're going to be fine as long as you concede and just "go down!" Gimme a dang break. You're calling offensive players patsies (I played DB), and you're lobbying for a form of tackling that says: go down or get your leg broken. That's just flawed logic. It's a cheap play that results in an inordinate amount of injuries and has little to do with playing the game properly on defense.