Every offseason the NCAA looks for ways to improve its most profitable sport.
Today, the following proposed tweaks to college football rules billowed like white smoke out of Indianapolis:
NCAA recommended rule changes:
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) February 28, 2020
- Players ejected for targeting can remain on bench
- No more than two players with the same number
- Officials jurisdiction starts 90 minutes prior to kickoff (its 60 now)
- Replay must be finished in less than two minutes
They still haven't chopped up targeting penalties into voluntary/involuntary manslaughter charges, but removing the awkward perp walk is...a good start? Also, reducing the amount of time officials can overthink a play is definitely a step in the right direction.
And in important future retail and vanity jersey news:
Clarification: This still needs to be rubber-stamped by the football oversight committee before it is officially implemented.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) February 28, 2020
Is that Jared Sullinger's music?!
You can absolutely plan on Ohio State football having two Number Zeroes every year beginning with the 2021 season. Single-digit jerseys are viewed as promotions, if not coveted assets by players. Allowing them means this section of the rulebook is about to change as such:
SECTION 4. Players and Playing Equipment
ARTICLE 2. Players’ Numbering
• All players shall be numbered 1 through 99.
Any number preceded by zero (“0”) is illegal.
• No two players of the same team shall participate in the same down wearing identical numbers.
One more:
The rules committee wants to crack down on players faking injuries.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) February 28, 2020
Uhh....
Re: Faking injuries: The rules committee doesnt want on-field officials to make injury judgements on the field. They did discuss extending the number of plays that the player must sit out. But for now, its on the coaches to knock if off.
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) February 28, 2020
The sport that finally installed a concussion protocol recently wants to cut down on fake injuries. That's going to require some witchcraft – and coaches are the ones slowing down tempo teams with direction to fake injuries – so good luck with solving this one.
Besides, if you want to slow down tempo teams there are niftier ways to get that done, like initiating replay review after Garrett Wilson clearly makes a catch (note – don't click on that).
The use of indisputable slow-motion evidence from every angle – to confirm a Clemson receiver had full control of the ball and took four steps before fumbling it – to overrule the correct call on the field was also not discussed.
Only six more months until kickoff!
