A day after Rich Rodriguez hammered the final nails into the coffin of the "increased tempo = increased injuries" argument, here comes a new chapter in arguments against up-tempo offenses.

Coincidentally, three SEC coaches who don't run up-tempo offenses are leading the charge:

Saban said over the weekend that he wants what’s best for college football, but he added the officials have to control the tempo of the game, much like the NFL. Upon Chip Kelly being hired, the NFL made it very clear last summer that officials, not offenses, would dictate the pace of the game, which is different than college football.

[...]

“I think we need to have some kind of mechanism to make sure the officials are safely wherever they need to be, and not only safely in the right spot, but also in position to call the game properly,” Richt said. “If we have to slow it down just a tad for that it would make sense to me.”

[...]

“I could care less about the rule," [Muschamp said.] "The only thing I will say is the administration of the game for the officials is very difficult. Example, an offensive team gets a first down. The ball is being snapped before they even set the chains for the next first down. Is that good for the game? I don’t think so. Those things as far as administration for the officials is very difficult and my conversations with [SEC head of officials] Steve Shaw and some of the officials I’m friends with. It becomes very difficult for them to get their eyes where they’re supposed to be and execute their jobs. I don’t think that’s good for the game. So would it be good to have a little slower tempo for the game without slowing down these teams? Sure. But whatever we compromise on, I’ll be fine either way.”

(Of course Will Muschamp is a guy who uses the phrase "could care less," which is the opposite of what he's trying to say.) 

As Saturday Down South notes, the NFL made it very clear to Chip Kelly upon his arrival it would be referees dictating the pace, and not offenses. 

Clearly, this is what these three coaches, who run pro-style offenses, have in mind when they talk like this.

The vote on the preposterous "10-second defensive substitution" rule will be on Thursday. (The rule isn't expected to pass.)

I wish these coaches... these alleged beacons of morality... would just step up and be honest why they're against up-tempo offenses instead of concern trolling over "player-safety" and referee crews.