Run the Clock

Every offseason in college football, the NCAA makes minor changes and clarifications to its rules. This offseason the NCAA made a very quiet change that could have a profound impact on the way the game is played. After every dead ball thats results in a change of possession (punt, fumble, int, turnover on downs, kickoff) or rekick the clock will run on the ready for play signal from the official instead of on the snap. This means prudent coaches can run about 25 extra seconds off the clock per possession. Over the course of a game this will lower the possessions per game by at least one and possibly two per team. What does this mean?

1) Underdogs will win more games. A smaller sample size (number of possessions) means more variability.

2) The 'under' wager may be a good play this season.

3) Hands off coaches (Pete Carroll) and those that should be living in a group home (Tommy Bowden) may get caught with their pants down on occasion.

I think this rule change lasts one year only. Here's a hypothetial situation. On Labor Day night in front of a national audience, Florida State scores with 35 seconds left to go up by a single point on Miami. On the kickoff Florida State inexplicably puts 12 gentlemen on the field. They kick it deep and tackle Miami after a short return with 30 seconds left. Thinking dimentia has finally taken hold of Bobby Bowden, Lary Coker takes the 15 yard penalty and has Florida State rekick from their 20 (instead of the 35). However, once the referees spot the ball ready for play the game clock begins to count down. Stunned, Larry Coker has two options. He can use a timeout (if he has one) to stop the clock, or he can watch helplessly as Florida State booms the kick with roughly 5 seconds left. Hey, it could happen.