This week, the NCAA Rules Committee will vote on three items that will change college football forever. These innovations include approving coach-to-player helmet communication, a two-minute warning, and sideline tablets. These new features will all help to modernize the sport, making it more similar to the NFL. All three of them are expected to be approved. After that, the proposals will be escalated to the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel (PROP). They’re scheduled to discuss the changes on April 18th.
However, potentially problematic changes are also on the table. Big Ten and SEC leaders are discussing an expanded 14-team College Football Playoff (CFP) format. What would this mean for the sport as a whole? Let’s unpack.
The in-game changes will all help push college football forward
As far as the aforementioned three items that the Rules Committee is voting on, it’s not a bad idea for college football to follow in the NFL’s footsteps. Helmet communication became a particularly pressing issue last season when Michigan got punished in a scandal that involved illegal scouting by a low-level staffer. While trying to decipher opponents’ signals isn’t prohibited, the Wolverines got in trouble for the technological aspect. Coach-to-player radio communication had not yet been approved, which made them get in trouble. This rule change should prevent these types of issues in the future.
Additionally, the two-minute warning has been effective at the NFL level for decades. This simply means that the clock will stop at 2:00 in the second and fourth quarters, giving each team a chance to rest and discuss strategy. From the fans’ perspective, it helps add suspense to the end of each half.
Thirdly, sideline tablets will help coaches and players watch films and go over plays in-game. While that has no clear downside, the proposed playoff changes might.
The 14-team CFP favors the Big Ten and SEC
Lately, the sport’s two most powerful conferences have been trying to separate themselves from the pack. Their expansion proposal includes three automatic bids for their programs, with the Big 12 and ACC only getting two each. The 14-team model would also include byes for the Big Ten and SEC champions but none for other conferences. This would effectively guarantee them the first two seeds in the tournament.
With these two conferences already getting stronger this season, this proposal clearly shows their intentions. It seems that they see themselves as superiors and have no interest in even playing on the field. This doesn’t bode well for the future of college football.
College football’s outlook is murky
Overall, these changes present a mixed bag. While the in-game adjustments should provide a smoother experience, the 14-team CFP model is worrisome. If the Big Ten and SEC continue to put themselves on a pedestal, college football may never have parity again.
For More Great Sports Content
Joshua is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. He started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper. When he’s not watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or writing a screenplay.
Follow him on Twitter @joshvaldez100, and follow us on Twitter @TotalApexSports. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on all the latest in ALL sports, click here.