Fast. Hit the ball. Although Saturday is a couple of days away, I think the game clock is ticking.
In its latest bow to network television, the NCAA has changed the way the turnover clock works. Since time immemorial, if your team was behind and made a great defensive stop, but used all your timeouts to do it, you could at least count on the fact that the change of possession (i.e. punt) would stop the clock and give everyone has a chance to catch their collective breath.
No more.
Because “someone” deemed college football broadcasts now “too long” (three guesses as to who the “someone” might be), after kicks, punts, interceptions and fumbles, as soon as game officials can set first try. markers and locating the soccer ball, the game clock will start running again.
It’s unnerving. I mean, your team recovers a fumble, you hit five with your friends, you get up for another beer or a visit to the china god, and you come back to find the game clock ticking. “Did I miss a play?” you ask. “Something happened?” No, nothing happened. And if this rule stays in place, a lot more than nothing will happen on college football fields across the country.
“The concern has been that party [lengths] they were increasing, not in quantum leaps, but longer and longer each year,” Dennis Poppe, NCAA football general manager, told the News & Observer. “There was a concern … about increased potential for injury due to time in the field.
Yes of course. The NCAA passed a rule because they care about injuries. And my left testicle just announced his candidacy for governor.
This is ridiculous. This new clock rule is a huge benefit for a team that is running late. It is a great detriment to someone who is trying to come back. And it’s outrageous that we’ll see 10 to 20 fewer plays per college football game. Gee guys, I mean, if you’re worried about how long the streams are, you could run fewer commercials.
I know. I know. Crazy idea.
The Bears are 2-0 and have scored the third-most points in the NFL, behind Indianapolis and San Diego. Are you a Rex Grossman believer?
BoDog Bookmakers, BoDog.ws: As a Florida first rounder, Rex Grossman was expected to do great things, but injuries have affected his progress. Labeling him fragile would be unfair considering the bizarre nature of his injuries; the tag “unlucky” fits better. That said, however, if he suffers another season-ending injury, Grossman’s time with the Bears could be over.
What do you think of the Dallas Cowboys? Should they consider Tony Romo over Drew Bledsoe? Is that offense in trouble if Terrell Owens misses significant time with a broken finger?
BDB, BoDog.ws: Given that Bledsoe threw two touchdown passes and no interceptions Sunday night, Parcels probably won’t settle Bledsoe for Tony Romo right away. Although Terrell Owens has trained himself to become a physical specimen, his fingers will always remain a fragile commodity. The absence of the Cowboys’ middle receiver will create opportunities for Terry Glenn and stud tight end Jason Whiten to showcase his talents.
Wow, I for one didn’t see Michigan toppling Notre Dame like that (and I’m a Michigan fan). What was the result of the books? And if Notre Dame isn’t going to play in the national championship, who is?
BDB, BoDog.ws: Even with the public considering them underdogs, Michigan came out ready to play and looked spectacular in the game against Notre Dame. This was a sure upset. Ohio State is an obvious choice to watch in the National Championship, but the field is wide open after that.
NASCAR used to lose fan interest once the NFL started, which is why NASCAR developed its “Chase for the Championship” format. Do you see any difference in the amount of bettor interest in the races now that the Chase exists?
BDB, BoDog.ws: NASCAR’s “Chase for the Championship” format has certainly kept bettors interested, especially with Kevin Harvick’s slim 35-point lead. Since this format was introduced, our NASCAR drive is up 65%.