NCAA Proposes Rule Changes

The NCAA Football Rules Committee proposed several rules changes for the 2007 NCAA football year. The focus of the changes is to restore the amount of plays from the 2005 season while eliminating total time in a game.

Mark Clark, chairmen of the committee, admitted faults in last year's rule changes stating: “The changes we made last year, overall, did not have a positive effect on college football at all levels. Our charge is to protect the game and do what is best for college football. Last year’s game lost too many plays, but it accomplished the need to shorten the overall time it takes to play a game. The changes we have made for 2007 balance both of these issues.”

Of the new rule changes proposed for the 2007 season, the most intriguing is to move the kickoffs from the 35 yard line back to the 30 yard line. I for one am not a fan of changing a standard aspect of the game such as this. It would lead to a change of strategy in the game due to a rule changed aimed to shorter the duration of the game. It would put an increased emphasis on the special teams game in the coming year.

If all the proposed rule changes pass it will save a total of 11-14 minutes and not effect playing time.