New rules to speed up college football games

[Wildcat Larry]

Whatever the case, some rules changes in college football this season have flown under the radar screen, and they could have a major impact on games this season.

Rule 3-2-5 and 3-2-5-e are intended to shorten the game. The first rule states that the clock will start when the ball is kicked instead of when the receiving team touches it.

The second rule has the clock starting on a change of possession when the ball is marked ready for play and not when it’s snapped.

The idea is to speed up play. The average duration of televised games has steadily increased the last three seasons. In the Big 12, TV games lasted an average of 3 hours, 35 minutes, the longest among Division I-A conferences and 17 minutes longer than Big 12 games in 2003 and 2004.

Why do Big 12 games drag on? Call it the Mike Leach effect. Leach’s Texas Tech Red Raiders have led the nation in passing in each of the last four seasons with more clock-stopping first downs and scoring, and more Big 12 teams have caught on.

The NCAA is trying to reverse the trend.

“The concern has been games were creeping up, not by quantum leaps, but getting longer and longer each year,” said Dennis Poppe, the NCAA managing director of football.

Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15336815.htm)

[CATHYnKY]

Yesterday, Coach Brooks explained the 2 new rules and how it should shorten the game. Then he added...."more time for commercials". The man never misses a beat and speaks his mind. I like that. No sugar coating.

[lighthouse]

The games I dislike the most are the ones that are taped and shown at 1AM. They still have commercial time-outs. I don't understand why they can't insert the commercials at the station, and go on and play the game.

[Buddah]

Wildcat Larry wrote:
Whatever the case, some rules changes in college football this season have flown under the radar screen, and they could have a major impact on games this season.

Rule 3-2-5 and 3-2-5-e are intended to shorten the game. The first rule states that the clock will start when the ball is kicked instead of when the receiving team touches it.

The second rule has the clock starting on a change of possession when the ball is marked ready for play and not when it’s snapped.

The idea is to speed up play. The average duration of televised games has steadily increased the last three seasons. In the Big 12, TV games lasted an average of 3 hours, 35 minutes, the longest among Division I-A conferences and 17 minutes longer than Big 12 games in 2003 and 2004.

Why do Big 12 games drag on? Call it the Mike Leach effect. Leach’s Texas Tech Red Raiders have led the nation in passing in each of the last four seasons with more clock-stopping first downs and scoring, and more Big 12 teams have caught on.

The NCAA is trying to reverse the trend.

“The concern has been games were creeping up, not by quantum leaps, but getting longer and longer each year,” said Dennis Poppe, the NCAA managing director of football.

Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/15336815.htm)



good article. :thumbup

[Coldstream]

I just pray that they don't ruin my viewing experiene the way the NFL has these days. I'm sure everyone that watches college FB on TV would get rid of the commercials. But everytime I watch a NFL game, I'm thankful that the college FB games aren't as bad... yet.



I pray to the Football Gods, please... please!!! Get rid of the commercials!

[lighthouse]

AMEN!

[Wildcat Larry]

Did anybody notice that this sped the games up last night? I saw no discernible difference in the speed/length of the games.

[Coldstream]

Wildcat Larry wrote: Did anybody notice that this sped the games up last night? I saw no discernible difference in the speed/length of the games.

Its hard to tell but ESPN put up some stats today that showed that the average number of plays last year was 141 and that the games played since Thursday were in the 120s with only one game reaching above 130 (149).

This brings up a question to me. When their goal is to speed up the game, does it mean to make it more action-pack (no lulls) or to actually shorten the game? I think the first part is slightly noticeable to me. The latter I will need to see stats on since I flip channels alot b/n games (and use PIP extensively!).

[DCWildcat]

I hate this rule change. Another stupid rule that immediately gives an edge to the underdog. Ignoring the actual long term effects, it's put in place because games are just "too long." Badbadbadbadbadbad.

[lighthouse]

The Big 10 crew working the game looked as unsure sometimes as The Cats did. But overall, they got it right. I wanted that fumble as much as anybody, but the reversal was right. I thought they might give Pulley the benefit of the doubt on his fumble, it was very close that his arm was moving forward.