[Lefty Noob]

Two years ago the NCAA Football Rules committee, concerned that games were running too long, put in a series of changes in hopes of speeding things up.

They worked. In 2006 the average game time dropped from 3:21 to 3:07 but fans and coaches howled because there were about 13 fewer plays and five fewer points per game than in 2005.

So last season college football went back to the old rules and the bad news is that games averaged 3:22, a minute longer than in 2005. The good news is that plays and scoring also went back to the desired 2005 levels.

Please read the aticle in it's entirety to read about all face mask calls will be 15 yards, Horse collar takles a personal foul and more rule changes proposed.

NCAA extends play clock | ajc.com

Many of the changes will make the college game more like the NFL (the kickoff out of bounds, the play clock, etc.). Not crazy about that. The facemask thing is an interesting decision that I'm sure will make a lot of people unhappy - accidentally grabbing the facemask is a whole not different than grabbing and yanking it, and punishing them equally seems unusual.

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Many of the changes will make the college game more like the NFL (the kickoff out of bounds, the play clock, etc.). Not crazy about that. The facemask thing is an interesting decision that I'm sure will make a lot of people unhappy - accidentally grabbing the facemask is a whole not different than grabbing and yanking it, and punishing them equally seems unusual.

Could making the horse collar tackles a personal foul could they be saying "don't go near the players head" to make a tackle?

[Bette]

Mike Lucas:
During a game last year between the Badgers and the Spartans, safety Nehemiah Warrick, aggressor, went helmet to helmet against receive Kyle Jefferson, victim. Jefferson escaped with a concussion and Michigan was not penalized nor was Warrick flagged even though there was a written rule.
NCAA rule makers have directed game officials to strictly penalize this type of contact.
A recent memo to college football coaches and administrators said game officials are getting more tools to penalize potentially dangerous contact. This means especially players who use the crown of the helmet and players that target defenseless opponents when making contact above the shoulders.
In general, rule changes will put a renewed emphasis on player safety .
It includes a simplification of the chop block rule, and eliminating the horse collar tackle. The horse collar rule does not apply to a runner inside the tackle box or a quarterback in the pocket.
All face mask fouls will be 15 yards. Incidental contact will no longer be penalized as long the player does not pull, twist or jerk the face mask.
The Playing rules Oversight Panel will not add these new proposals until April. Coaches will experiment with the changes during spring practice.

Sports

[Tuck4Bama]

Originally Posted by Bette

Mike Lucas:
During a game last year between the Badgers and the Spartans, safety Nehemiah Warrick, aggressor, went helmet to helmet against receive Kyle Jefferson, victim. Jefferson escaped with a concussion and Michigan was not penalized nor was Warrick flagged even though there was a written rule.
NCAA rule makers have directed game officials to strictly penalize this type of contact.
A recent memo to college football coaches and administrators said game officials are getting more tools to penalize potentially dangerous contact. This means especially players who use the crown of the helmet and players that target defenseless opponents when making contact above the shoulders.
In general, rule changes will put a renewed emphasis on player safety .
It includes a simplification of the chop block rule, and eliminating the horse collar tackle. The horse collar rule does not apply to a runner inside the tackle box or a quarterback in the pocket.
All face mask fouls will be 15 yards. Incidental contact will no longer be penalized as long the player does not pull, twist or jerk the face mask.
The Playing rules Oversight Panel will not add these new proposals until April. Coaches will experiment with the changes during spring practice.

Sports

I for one am very happy that they have changes these rules to protect players.