College Football could be seeing some significant changes on the field in the future. The NCAA Football Rules Committee has made some suggestions that could change the college game as we know it. The rules aren’t outrageous though. Some of them are already implemented in the NFL. Below are the suggested rule changes from the committee.
- Electronic Helmet Communication
- In the NFL, quarterbacks and coaches communicate seamlessly through helmet technology. Now, college football aims to adopt this practice.
- Coaches will be able to relay instructions electronically to players, eliminating the need for poster boards or hand signals.
- The green dot on a player’s helmet will indicate their eligibility for in-game communication.
- Communication will cease with 15 seconds left on the play clock or at the snap of the ball.
- Tablets on the Sideline
- Borrowing from the NFL playbook, college football teams will be allowed to use 18 computer tablets during games.
- These tablets can be utilized by coaches, players, and staff on the sideline, in the coaching booth, and even in the locker room.
- Instant access to in-game video and strategic analysis will enhance decision-making and adjustments.
- Introduction of a Two-Minute Warning
- Historically absent from college football, the two-minute warning will now be part of the game.
- Teams can regroup near the end of the first and second halves without burning a timeout.
- Interestingly, this change comes after college football implemented a running clock after first downs to speed up games.
- Uniform Warnings and Penalties
- The NCAA is considering a warning system for uniform violations.
- If a team violates uniform rules repeatedly, a timeout will be charged.
- If the team is out of timeouts, they will face a 5-yard penalty.
- 15-Yard Horse-Collar Tackle Penalty
- Inside the tackle box, a 15-yard penalty will be enforced for horse-collar tackles.
- This change emphasizes player safety and discourages dangerous tackling techniques.
Most of the rule changes are sensible and make college football more uniform with the NFL. Helmet communications, tables, and horse-collar penalties in the tackle box make perfect sense. I’m split when it comes to the two-minute warning. College football has taken measures to speed up the game. Adding a two-minute warning kind of takes away from those measures. The uniform violation just seems a little silly to me.
Take note that these are just suggestions from the committee. The changes would have to still be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel. That meeting is scheduled to take place on April 18. Some aspects of college football have already changed, which makes it very possible that these rule changes will be approved.