New NCAA Rules Changes for 2006

College football fans realize that the NCAA has agreed to standardize instant replay for all of its games. Die-hard college football fans know about the changes to the game clock rules coming in 2006. Here is a list of rule changes for the upcoming season, along with the theory behind them.

1. Excessive crowd noise - The rule has been deleted, since referees could not enforce it. Good job fans!

2. Eye shields - Tinted eye shields are not permitted. This has long been a rule in the NFL, so that trainers do not have to remove the helmet from an injured player to get a look at his eyes.

3. Extra point - If a touchdown is scored at the end of a game and the EP doesn’t affect the outcome, then it is not kicked.

4. Halftime - It’s now 20 minutes unless both teams agree upon a different amount of time prior to the game.

5. Kicking tee - The tee can place the bottom of the ball no higher than 1 inch from the ground. This is an attempt to reduce touchbacks. So those 4 inch tees will be useful only at Notre Dame.

6. Fouls on a kick play from scrimmage - (Wow, that wording is awkward.) Basically, teams can opt to add the 5 yards to the end of a return than to make the opposing team re-kick.

7. Instant Replay - Standard throughout the NCAA now.

8. Game clock - It now starts when the ball hits the kickers foot AND when the referee signals ready for play after a 1st down.