new rules?

The NCAA (presumably to appease the television networks), are at it again:
another attempt to shorten the length of games.

After the rule changes (such as the poorly thought out one to start the clock on the kickoff) were tried and failed, this time they have two proposals:
1. To start the play clock immediately upon the conclusion of the previous play (a 40 second clock just like the NFL, rather than the current 25 seconds from the Ready For Play signal).
2. To stop the game clock on plays out of bounds only until the ball is re-spotted, rather than until the next snap.

They claim that the former rule will make the procedure more consistent (and take away the incentive for pileups, etc.).

I read that they also claim latter (out-of-bounds rule) would only affect 12 plays a game (which sounds low to me).

The only statistic I have seen previously (care of Homer Smith) is that it takes officials an average of 12 seconds to spot the ball and to start the play clock. So this will give Offensive Coordinators a slightly longer (and a slightly more consistent) time frame in which to send in plays. I can imagine that we will see more changing of personnel packages; with the offense waiting, and then sending in the play call based on the corresponding changes in defensive personnel.


At any rate, these rules will make it a little more difficult for teams to come from behind; and a little easier for teams ahead to run out the clock. Where previously the team trying to run out the clock attempted to stay in bounds at all costs, they will now have a reason to take long, slow convoy sweeps to the sideline (remember the old USC Trojan Student Body Right?), stepping out of bounds at the last minute to avoid being stripped of the ball, as the clock will be restarted even on an out-of-bounds play.

This will make the out routes less effective as part of the hurry-up offense.

While a good argument could be made for the first rule, I suspect the second rule will prove to be unwise and unwelcome.

Besides the implementation of overtime, the real reasons that recent regulation games are taking much longer are:
a. more TV commercials in televised games
b. occasional stoppages for replay of calls
c. the increased amount of passing in the game today- more passes equals more incomplete passes, and each of these stop to the clock.

While commercial television (a) or the replay rule (b) may not affect other divisions (including Japan), I would like to urge that TV be encouraged/obliged to take short automatic commercial breaks (say one minute) on each replay stoppage (or injury timeout), rather than showing countless angles while the officials decide, and then lengthy commercial breaks after a score or at the quarter or for a 'TV timeout'. After one minute, the TV crew could have chosen the best angle to show the result, except for the most controversial of plays. This quick commercial break would be good for TV too- viewers would be unlikely to change channels while still in suspense as to the outcome of the call.

As far as the increased amount of passing in the game today (c), the longest games generally involve those teams that throw 50-60 times a game, with consequently many more incomplete passes. When teams run the ball (for no gain, for example) the clock continues to run, as long as the ball remains inbounds. This probably causes the greatest inconsistency in the length of playing times of games. So I would propose that after incomplete passes landing within the field of play, the game clock is restarted after the ball is set. I have no way of field testing this at the moment, but I would imagine that this would do much to even out the running length of games.

Super Bowl XLII

Should probably make a quick comment.

A low scoring game, great defensive play. Clutch drives by both teams. A thoroughly entertaining game.

I was personally glad to see the result (with the Red Sox already winning the baseball World Series last fall my highly vocal and opinionated brother-in-law from Boston would be absolutely insufferable to his dying day if the Patriots had win and finished with a perfect season).


It is always exciting to see the underdog win. Satisfying to, as long as the favorite being upset was not our team.