New Helmet Tech in College Football is just what the Kentucky Offense Needs

Over the last two years, the Kentucky offense has moved slower than molasses in January. Expediting the offensive operation has been a key talking point throughout the offseason. A new rule change is eliminating any excuse.

Kentucky ran 54 plays per game in 2023, ranking No. 131 in FBS football. With Liam Coen in the booth calling plays with a lot of verbiage from the pro-style system, oftentimes the offense struggled to get to the line of scrimmage with more than a handful of seconds on the play clock. This is how the process worked a year ago:

• Coen radios in play-call to the sideline
• Play is signaled into Devin Leary
• Leary reads wristband
• Leary shares play-call in huddle
• Kentucky rushes to the line of scrimmage

That process will be significantly expedited in 2024 due to two changes. First and foremost, Bush Hamdan runs a no-huddle base offense, eliminating one step. Now a rule change will allow Hamdan to speak directly to quarterback Brock Vandagriff from the pressbox.

According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, the NCAA Rules Committee is expected to pass a rule that brings coach-to-player helmet communication to college football. One coach will have access to directly speak with one player on the field until there are 15 seconds left on the play clock, a mandatory cut-off that’s also instituted in the NFL.

The new technology should create a more efficient offensive operation. Teams will also be receiving technological advancements on the sidelines. Electronic tablets will be available to replay previous plays on the sideline and in the halftime locker room.

One New Rule Change is Stupid

Last offseason the NCAA Rules Committee approved a change in the clock to speed up the game by keeping the game clock running after first downs. Now they’re adding a measure to slow the game down.

This year there will be a 2-Minute Warning in college football. Why? So the TV companies can pocket some extra cash with two additional commercial breaks.

One could argue that the clock rules do change inside two minutes. The play clock stops after first downs during the final two minutes of each half. Don’t fall for this argument. The executives at ESPN and FOX who now seemingly run the sport have found a new opportunity to make more money. The 2-Minute Warning is going to come in handy when the Wildcats are running out the clock in a blowout against Southern Miss.

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