http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/list/201308/2013s-8-new-ncaaf-rule-changes#1 The targeting/head shot rule and others. Figures they have a picture of LSU as an example of one of the head shots. Fuggers. Interesting that linemen can now block below the waist 7yds from the side of the ball and 5 yds into the secondary. This is a double edge sword. Also, now there has to be a 3 sec minimum on the clock to spike the ball and get another play off. I guess it would be difficult to run a play and get your offense reset and ready to spike it oh and the defense as well. I would say that if there is like 20 seconds and by the time everything is done and set there are only 2 seconds left on the clock; will they not allow you to snap/spike and run another play with say 1 second left?
The head of the SEC officials on the new targeting/head protection rules: "I worked 15 years as a referee in the SEC, before that six years in the Gulf South, this is my third year as coordinator of officials, so a long time dealing with officiating in the NCAA," he said. "This rule change is probably the most significant rule change in my tenure ever . It has an impact on our game and is very, very important." If a player is thrown out in the second half, he must miss the first half of the next game. The rule mirrors fighting. “It mimics our fighting rule,” Shaw said. "Instant replay is going to play a big part in this. This is an important foul, and if it's called, we have to be right 100% of the time." "If in replay we see that there was no contact above the shoulders, then replay can actually put that guy back in the game. So he can override the disqualification. " "If you remember a couple years ago, we all had the change with our unsportsmanlike conduct, bringing touchdowns back. Let me tell you, we talked about it a lot. Once we got in the season, it became no big deal. The players changed their behavior. Except for an Australian kicker at LSU, that would have almost gone unnoticed. I hope this makes the same impact. We'll see. But significant change as we lead into the season."
Florida defensive end Dominique Easley said the new rule turns the game into “flag football.” For South Carolina DE Clowney, who towers above most players at 6-foot-6, the challenge especially affects him. “I don’t really like that rule,” Clowney said. “I’m 6-6, and half the guys I’m going against are 6-3, 6-foot. It’s going to be hard for me to get low, not to hit them above the shoulders.”
LSU coach Les Miles said he hopes the rule is applied in a “very moderate fashion.” He wants only the “flagrant and obvious” violations called for penalty, not incidental collisions. “Change has got to be incremental and not wildly applied, and I hope for that,” Miles said. “I think it’s a great rule. Protecting our players is what we have to do, but it’s going to be very difficult to administer. “We want it to protect our kids, but not change the game.”
The Big Ten's coordinator of officials told BTN's Tom Dienhart that officials are being told be strict with this. "When it doubt, throw him out," ... “We have to change behavior,” he said. Another official said "It’s one of the biggest rule changes we have seen in a number of years” ... “But I think it’s a good rule. We need to protect the players.”
Desmond Howard says he doesn't like the new rule: “If a receiver is on the sideline and is fighting for that extra inch or so to get a first down and gets blasted by a defender, I have a hard time with a flag being thrown for that,” said 1991 Heisman winner and Michigan icon Desmond Howard, who spoke at the clinic. “If the receiver didn’t want to get hit, he could step out of bounds. I’m an old-school guy. I just don’t like the rule. And I’m an offensive guy. “But, I get it. Safety matters.” “This is America’s No. 1 sport because it’s a collision sport,” said Howard."
