Will Penn State use sideline tablets, in-helmet communication during the Peach Bowl?
Atlanta — Penn State and Ole Miss both have the option to participate in an NCAA pilot program that allows teams to use in-helmet communication and sideline tablets during most bowl games if the sides can come to an agreement on doing so. How will the Lions and Rebels handle the opportunity in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 30. Both head coaches were asked during their first news conference of game week here on Tuesday. And, they did not agree to use either.
“I think the way the NCAA set up the bowl was that both teams had to agree to use the technology,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “And for whatever reason, we’ve not decided to do that. So we will not be using it, from what I understand. But that was an option.”
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said he didn’t think doing so would benefit his team.
“We decided on our side not to,” Kiffin said. “We’re used to a system in college football how it’s been, and I don’t necessarily [think], with the style that we play, that it would be as beneficial to us as maybe it would be to some other people.”
More on Penn State, Ole Miss making Peach Bowl technology decisions
Yahoo previously reported that no SEC team would use in-helmet communication this bowl season. So, that bit of news was not a surprise. The push to allow teams to use in-helmet communication and sideline tablets, which have both long been a staple in the NFL, came on the heels of the Michigan sign-stealing scandal.
“In approving the experimental trial, the NCAA Rules Committee created little to no rules around the use of the technologies, leaving the participating bowl teams to each agree on a set of rules,” Ross Dellenger writes for Yahoo.
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“In most cases, teams using tablets are outfitted with 10 total tablets: eight to use on the sideline and two in the coach’s booth. Tablets are designed with only one capability: to show video feeds of previous plays. The plays are uploaded to the tablet while connected through hardwire. Tablets cannot be taken into the locker room at halftime.”
Both could be approved for use next season. Teams have been testing them out in various bowl games. But, Penn State and Ole Miss will not when they meet Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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