New Rules --Kickoffs and after a first down

[Zips Win!]

There were several new rules changes for 2006 and below are two that seem to have many of the BCS coaches ticked. These are intended to shorten the game....the coaches say it will shorten the game by 10-15 plays and help the underdog.How will these changes affect the Zips?"According to Rule 3-2-5, the game clock will start as soon as the ball is kicked in a kickoff situation. Previously, the clock would only start once the receiving team touched the ball. In addition, Rule 3-2-5-e states that, after a team gets a first down, the clock will begin running again on the ready-for-play signal. Previously, the clock did not resume until the team snapped the ball."

[Zip Watcher]

The PD (and Channel 3) had some talk about this around media day. Specific conversations surrounding how it would have affected the Zips' game winning drive @ NIU. Sounds like there will be late game adjustments on timeout consumption. Coaches weren't thrilled with the changes.

[a-zip]

I like Joe Novak's comment......

What disturbs me is all these rules are being made to shorten the games, but we're long because of the commercials. The game is great -- shorten the commercials.

[zen]

I like Joe Novak's comment......

What disturbs me is all these rules are being made to shorten the games, but we're long because of the commercials. The game is great -- shorten the commercials.

To be more specific, they don't want to shorten the length of the entire game, In three hours, they want less football and more commercials. :wall:Running the clock at the point the ball is kicked is sorta logical though. That's the point that the ball is in play, even though it's not in anyone's possession yet.

[ZachTheZip]

How, exactly, does this favor the underdog? I think this favors whoever is losing near the end of a game. What if the underdog is winning near the end? wouldn't that mean it hurts the underdog then?

[TXZipFan]

It helps the undedog because IN THEORY, over time the better team will prevail so if the length of the game is shortened it will give an underdog a better chance of holding on to a lead at the end of a game. BUT I also see where two evenly matched teams will be in a bad situation where the team who is looking to answer a score at the end of the game will be forced to do so with a clock that runs more often (Akron vs. NIU).

[liljc]

I love that Joe Novak actually spoke his mind. Good for you , Joe!

[GP1]

The rule should neither help nor hurt any team as all teams are impacted by the rule equally. However, Akron does run a ball control offense and they have a tough defense this season. A major factor in winning football is controlling the ball throughout the game. Ball control allows a team to exhaust the opponent's defense with offense and stopping your opponent with a well rested defense late. After you stop the opponent with your defense late, you control the ball with the lead against an exhausted defense until the end of the game. This new rule allows Akron to more easily run the clock out on an opponent than it did in the past. My prediction is that Akron will have a lot of late leads to protect this season and with their ball control offense, this rule and a good defense they are going to win a lot of games. Or at least run the clock out on a lot of teams.Now, I always like to run a little smack, and that dinosaur Joe Novak is a good one to target (especially since our young whipper snapper of a coach beat him last year in the MACC). Back when Joe started in football and those new fangled leather helmets became all the rage, commercials were not that important. Try to follow me now Joe....You want your team on television for recruiting purposes. You want the networks to pay for the television rights to produce the game. How do you think the networks pay for the rights? If you were a sponsor, would you settle for a 15 second spot at the same price as a 30 second spot? Since the networks are helping you to recruit and support college football in general, shouldn't they and their sponsors get something in return? Maybe when Joe retires, he can move to Akron and complain about paying $5.00 to park at a football game.

[Balki Bartokomous]

Maybe when Joe retires, he can move to Akron and complain about paying $5.00 to park at a football game.

Nah, Joe would probably hitch a ride with someone so they would pay the parking. He would be complaining all day and all night about "them horseless buggies" and about how teams don't run the split option any more. And whats this I hear about the "forward pass"? It will ruin the game.

[GP1]

Maybe when Joe retires, he can move to Akron and complain about paying $5.00 to park at a football game.

Nah, Joe would probably hitch a ride with someone so they would pay the parking. He would be complaining all day and all night about "them horseless buggies" and about how teams don't run the split option any more. And whats this I hear about the "forward pass"? It will ruin the game.

I love it.