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The NCAA Football Rules Committee has proposed a pair of rule changes, the two are how targeting and defensive substitutions are handled, the organization announced Wednesday. Quickly on the targeting rules, the initial change drew some serious outrage over this subjective call.
The proposal to the targeting rule is that if the hit does not uphold an ejection after the officials review the tape, the 15-yard penalty will be removed.
The other rule change could have a drastic change in offense that like to hurry up and go as fast as possible. That has the potential to affect many team in the Mountain West; such as, Fresno State, Boise State, Nevada, Utah State and others.
The rule proposal will force for teams to have to 10 let second to run off the play clock before snapping the ball. The idea behind this rule is to give defenses a chance to substitute. This comparable to Brett Bielema who called for a 15-second time frame to allow for substitutes. To now surprise, Bielema is on the rules committee and behind this rule; as is Air Force's Troy Calhoun who is in charge with Todd Berry of Louisiana-Monroe.
One caveat on this rule is that within two minutes of a half this rule would not apply. The rest of the game there would be a 5-yard delay of game penalty, ironic considering that the penalty is being too fast.
This rule is just in the proposal process and decisions will be made on March 6.
Plenty of college coaches voiced their concern publicly and privately about the stupidity of this rule, well except a few including Nick Saban who hates fast football.
Here are some samples of coaches who dislike this rule proposal.
When you snap the ball has always been a fundamental edge for the offense- what's next-- 3 downs like Canada?#LetsGetBoring
— Rich Rodriguez (@CoachRodAZ) February 12, 2014
Fundamental advantage for defense- pre snap movement- maybe that should be reviewed? #WhoMakesTheseRules
— Rich Rodriguez (@CoachRodAZ) February 12, 2014
Of course, Mike Leach chimed in.
Mike Leach on NCAA not allowing teams to snap before 29 seconds on play clock: "First off, doubt it will pass. Second, it's ridiculous….
— ESPN Pac-12 (@ESPN_Pac12blog) February 12, 2014
Leach (cont.): All this tinkering is ridiculous. I think it deteriorates the game. It's always been a game of creativity and strategy….
— ESPN Pac-12 (@ESPN_Pac12blog) February 12, 2014
Leach: "So anytime someone doesn't want to go back to drawing board or re-work their solutions to problems, they beg for a rule."
— ESPN Pac-12 (@ESPN_Pac12blog) February 12, 2014
The rule is dumb and even if it passes it will be difficult to enforce. Perhaps defensive coaches should get their players to be able to withstand staying on the field for more than a few plays at a time.
