Proposed NCAA Rule Changes: Replay Booth Gets Time Limit, Players Ejected for Targeting Can Stay, Number Zero Now Legal

By 11W Staff on February 28, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Dec 28, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Shaun Wade (24) leaves the field after being ejected for targeting in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Clemson Tigers at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
© Mark J. Rebilas | USAT Sports
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Every offseason the NCAA looks for ways to improve its most profitable sport.

Today, the following proposed tweaks to college football rules billowed like white smoke out of Indianapolis:

They still haven't chopped up targeting penalties into voluntary/involuntary manslaughter charges, but removing the awkward perp walk is...a good start? Also, reducing the amount of time officials can overthink a play is definitely a step in the right direction. 

And in important future retail and vanity jersey news:

Is that Jared Sullinger's music?!

You can absolutely plan on Ohio State football having two Number Zeroes every year beginning with the 2021 season. Single-digit jerseys are viewed as promotions, if not coveted assets by players. Allowing them means this section of the rulebook is about to change as such:

SECTION 4. Players and Playing Equipment

ARTICLE 2. Players’ Numbering

• All players shall be numbered 1 through 99. Any number preceded by zero (“0”) is illegal.
• No two players of the same team shall participate in the same down wearing identical numbers.

One more:

Uhh....

The sport that finally installed a concussion protocol recently wants to cut down on fake injuries. That's going to require some witchcraft – and coaches are the ones slowing down tempo teams with direction to fake injuries – so good luck with solving this one.

Besides, if you want to slow down tempo teams there are niftier ways to get that done, like initiating replay review after Garrett Wilson clearly makes a catch (note – don't click on that).

The use of indisputable slow-motion evidence from every angle – to confirm a Clemson receiver had full control of the ball and took four steps before fumbling it – to overrule the correct call on the field was also not discussed.

Only six more months until kickoff!

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