Any logical reason why NFL and NCAA rules can't match?

[Just a minor rant, feel free to ignore or disagree!]

It drives me nuts sometimes... clock stops on a first down in college, not in the NFL. Two minute warning in the NFL, not in college. One foot in bounds in college, two feet required in the NFL. Different overtime rules, different replay rules, different rules about hits allowed on the quarterback, etc.

Would it kill the NCAA and the NFL to set up a committee to come up with a uniform set of rules for football games, and (if deemed necessary) gradually implement the changes in each league over the course of 3-5 years until all rules are consistent? Have 5-6 NCAA folks, and 5-6 NFL folks, and let them go through each and every rule that is different. Have both sides discuss and debate the pros and cons of the conflicting/non-consistent rule, then vote on which one to keep (or possibly compromise on a brand-new version), and if there's a tie vote, flip a coin to settle it - then move on to the next rule.

 

I agree, rules should mirror one another more than they do. However, I do understand why certain rules are the way they are.

I think 1-foot inbounds for college is a good rule. It's harder to get 2 feet down--and that's why pro players are paid the big bucks. IMO, in college, catch the ball and "dot the 'i'" inbounds should be good enough.

As for the 2 min. warning. That's crap. When you get to college, if you can't keep tabs on how much time is left, then that's just your tough luck...and pros especially shouldn't be given another timeout.

OT rules are a joke in college! Plain and simple. You completely take away special teams and to a large extent, offenses (because when you start from the 25 yardline, it limits you from spreading the defense out too much, etc.)

Those are my thoughts.

 

Many of the rules are justifiable but the "Powers that be" would never want them to be uniform cause more people would know them--knowledge is power and opens door for more officiating criticism. Just a stupid thought for the cynical. :grin:

 

It is 2 different games. Neither side wants their game to be the exact same as the others.

 

Cause the NFL is boring as hell.

 

Why? With rare exception, the NFL games don't compete with college games on TV. Having a consistent set of rules would make it easier for the more casual fan to know what's happening, what's allowed and not allowed, etc. Plus it will make it easier for players to make the transition from college to the pros. I'd go further and make high school rules the same too, except for the 12 minute quarters.

 

Is that because of the NFL rules that differ from the NCAA rules? If so, which of those rules in particular do you think make the NFL boring?

 

The rule that pays NFL players the lifetime salary of a teacher in one year.

I'm sorry, you're not going to get an extremely valuable comment on the issue from me, I just don't care for NFL football. You don't play for pride, you're playing for money. It's competition between buisnesses. Yes, NCAA is becoming much more like this, but still there is the pagantry, the rivalry, and the freaking cool uniforms.

The NFL is boring. I feel like I'm watching high school football when I watch the NFL. It's football, so I'm going to watch, but I just don't care. (My high school didn't have a football team because it was a magnet school and therefore could have recruited whoever it liked for football- hence the 10 straight men's gymnastics 5A titles, gaudy records in track, etc.)

 

I personally like most of the differences in college and NFL. It makes college football unique and i would gladly watch college football anyday than the NFL. Clock stoppages on 1st downs is good for teams trying to comeback late in the 4th quarter and makes games more exciting. I think the NFL is boring but not because of the rules, mainly because of all the generic offenses. You won't see any option, spread-option or whatever Arky was doin in the NFL.