NCAA football possible rule changes

Sorry for the low number of posts, but I have had trouble with my web host in the last two weeks.

The time-saving rules imposed last year, which I referred to in August, will likely be eliminated. Yesterday the NCAA rules committee listed recommended rule changes, that not only will eliminate the previous rules such as the clock starting when the ball is kicked and the clock starting when the ball is marked after a turnover, but they will add the following:

• Kickoffs will be from the 30-yard line instead of the 35. The clock won't start until the receiver touches the ball; last season it started as soon as the ball was kicked.
• Coming out of a television timeout, the play clock for the first play of a possession will be 15 seconds, down from 25.
• Charged team timeouts will be cut by 30 seconds, down from 65 seconds. This does not affect TV timeouts.
• On kickoffs, the play clock will start once the kicker is handed the ball by the official. Previously, the kicker could take as much time as he wanted before kicking the ball. Now, he is on the clock and a violation will result in a 5-yard penalty.
• The time allowed for instant replay reviews will be limited to two minutes.

These rule changes will likely be finalized by March 12. Penn State coach Joe Paterno will be very happy if the kickoff clock rule is repealed. Did anyone else see the Penn State vs. Wisconsin game last November?

There are discussions that in 2008, college football will use the same 40-second play clock that is used in the NFL. Currently in college there is a 25-second play clock that starts once the ball is marked and the official waves, but the 40-second clock would start immediately after the end of a play.