News Article: New play clock rule - Advantage Offense

[crimson_blood]

The Birmingham News- New 40/25 Play Clock Rule

Offenses figure to benefit when college football shifts to a 40/25-second play clock this season, especially no-huddle offenses.

The play clock will be the most noticeable rule change this season, and figures to be a topic of conversation at SEC media days, which begin Wednesday in Birmingham. Some coaches wanted the change because officials used different amounts of time to mark the ball ready for play.

At the end of every play, the 40-second clock will start, as is the rule in the NFL. College rules will still use the 25-second clock after a stoppage, such as a change of possession or a penalty.

Under college's old rules, only a 25-second clock was used and it did not start until the officials marked the ball ready for play.

 

[Jack Bourbon]

Seems like a good rule, unlike Tubby's rule that screwed up the ends of games.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

Seems like a good rule, unlike Tubby's rule that screwed up the ends of games.

That'll definitely quicken the tempo of the game. Gonna see a LOT more delay penalties, though.

 

[MasterShake]

I can already see officials screwing up. I bet we'll see instances when 40 seconds is on the play clock rather than 25 and vice versa.... and I'm willing to bet a game is won or lost on this mistake. I say go to 40 in all situations to prevent screw-ups.

 

[Ldlane]

That'll definitely quicken the tempo of the game. Gonna see a LOT more delay penalties, though.

or Encroachment.

 

[Bama323]

New Rule Should Favor Spread Offenses

This is another reason why I am not in favor of this new rule change. Teams like Auburn could benefit by running the no-huddle, which means they will be able to put alot of pressure on the D simply by speeding things up. It's going to be even more important this year to be able to take time off the clock and keep the other teams offense off the field.

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/football/index.ssf/2008/07/carr_on_wdfn.html

 

[CrimsonChuck]

Will it be 25 or 40 seconds after an incomplete pass?

 

[BamaFanatJSU]

In theory, the 40 second clock should start as soon as the pass is ruled incomplete...if they're using the same setup as the NFL.

 

[bamapuppy]

I can already see officials screwing up. I bet we'll see instances when 40 seconds is on the play clock rather than 25 and vice versa.... and I'm willing to bet a game is won or lost on this mistake. I say go to 40 in all situations to prevent screw-ups.

I agree. make it as simple as possible. KISS Keep It Simple Stupid. I try to live by the KISS rule.

 

[Ldlane]

I don't know. I look forward to some new things in the mix. The game still has to be played on the field, team vs. team. I even look forward to moving the 3 point line back in BBall!

 

[bamafloyd]

I've enjoyed watching football for a long time without them screwing with the rules every year. I believe they must be catering to the TV networks so they will be able to sell more advertisements. If not, they are changing the rules to show how important they are. If it a'int broke ---- leave it alone.

 

[BamaRef22]

The timing change will add consistency to game tempo between plays. There was alot of variance from Referee to Referee in whistling the ball ready for play and starting the 25 second clock. Game times were varying based on the tempo. The NFL has found that the 40 second clock has added consistency.

IMO, the game doesn't have to be broken to be improved.

Trust me, there have been many hours spent in training and testing relating to the new game clock and play clock rules. My first assisgnment this year is on the alternate official/clock operator for a D1 game. We'll see if any problems arise.