Impact of not stopping the clock after first downs

[Blues man]

Watching UF and Utah. Its halftime now but it looks like we'll still end up with nearly a 4 hour game. Wish they'd just leave things alone. If it's good enough for the final 2 minutes of a half, it should be good enough to use throughout the game

 

[Tngamecock]

Heard them talking on Gameday over the weekend about the positive impacts of the rule change that will keep the clock running after first down (except the last 2 minutes). They noted that it will shorten games by up to 8 minutes. Eight minutes? Seriously? The games are so terribly long and shaving 8 minutes off is really that big of a deal? Let's ignore the REAL culprits. After all, college football has been stopping the clock after first downs since 1968 (I believe), but length of game was not seen as a big issue until recent years. It begs the questions of what's making the games so long? It doesn't take a genius to see that it's commercials, for the most part, and to lesser extent, gratuitous and lengthy replay stoppages.

But, sure, let's not address the real problems. What slays me is that not one single person, coaches or commentators, will ever state the obvious reality that commercials are the reason games are so long. Everyone just goes along with the narrative that it's those pesky 8 extra minutes that result from stopping the clock after first down that really stretch the games out.

The only thing this rule does is prevent the possibility of exciting comebacks in many many cases. The thing that makes college football so fun is underdogs or favorites coming from behind to win. The stoppage of the clock on first downs helps tremendously with that.

 

[Tngamecock]

For one thing, very, very, very, very rarely does a ref in football make a call that actually wrongfully determines the outcome of the game. Replay was a solution to a problem that didn't exist in any meaningful form.

For another, even with replay, fans STILL don't agree with major calls that are made (Exhibit 1: OSU/UGA semifinal game). So you haven't solved the problem because fans still don't agree that they "got it right".

Yes, I'm a purist, and the human element of refs is part of the game. If you don't want the refs to determine the outcome (which was a rarity anyway), don't leave it up to the refs. But, replay in its current forum is about the worst implementation of it you can have. They take MINUTES to do even basic reviews.

On top of that, they don't review the things that have the greatest impact. I'm much more concerned about phantom holding calls and missed holding calls, either one of which can drastically impact an offensive drive. But I'm fine with it as part of the game. Man up and don't leave it up to the refs.

going to have to disagree on this one? I have seen countless officials wrongly, determined an outcome in my lifetime

 

[Mic4usc]

It’s a very dumb rule change. Most college offenses are not built for this. I think you will see more 2-pt conversions this year and more coaches gambling on 4th down earlier in games.

I could understand if they maybe implemented a 4 minute rule or just go back to the old rule in the 4th quarter.

 

[Mic4usc]

Ridiculous rule change - what genius came up with this. The result is less college football, when most people want more. To me, the games go too fast without shortening them. I can`t think of anyone who wants less football other than perhaps people with you kids who go to the games in person.

TV executives want tight game windows to maximize their profit. It’s NFL minds stepping into an arena they know nothing about. They only want big time matchups in a perfect 3 hour slot. It’s just awful how much CFB has changed for the worst in recent years.

 

[will110]

Personally I think the first down rule change is going to have a negligible impact on the games. I never noticed it while watching last night.

Rule changes for the sake of rule changes are stupid though. At least they didn't decide to keep a running clock after incomplete passes, which I believe was on the table. Now that would change the game.

Instant replay is a good thing. How often have there been egregious missed calls that were corrected by replay? It happens all the time. However, replay should be about getting those types of calls right, not about stopping play for 7.5 minutes while we analyze if a player's toe was out of bounds on a 3 yard gain or not.

 

[IOPGCock]

Heard them talking on Gameday over the weekend about the positive impacts of the rule change that will keep the clock running after first down (except the last 2 minutes). They noted that it will shorten games by up to 8 minutes. Eight minutes? Seriously? The games are so terribly long and shaving 8 minutes off is really that big of a deal? Let's ignore the REAL culprits. After all, college football has been stopping the clock after first downs since 1968 (I believe), but length of game was not seen as a big issue until recent years. It begs the questions of what's making the games so long? It doesn't take a genius to see that it's commercials, for the most part, and to lesser extent, gratuitous and lengthy replay stoppages.

But, sure, let's not address the real problems. What slays me is that not one single person, coaches or commentators, will ever state the obvious reality that commercials are the reason games are so long. Everyone just goes along with the narrative that it's those pesky 8 extra minutes that result from stopping the clock after first down that really stretch the games out.

You’re not wrong at all. But we all know that ain’t changing. So far for me I don’t mind it. It’s going to take getting used to but so far to me it’s definitely forced fewer wasted play calls. If that holds I’m for it.

It also seems to make every possession more important. A 17 point deficit is a whole different ballgame now.

 

[Blues man]

Based on what I see so far, I kinda think the time saved is a wash. What i'm seeing is more calls being made by refs not even on the field. I know it's not entirely new but I got to say I dont like reviewing plays where no penalty was called but they want to look at it to see if they can find one. Guess when you have more people able to make calls even after the fact, you have to look somewhere to cut some time off the clock