Big 12 prepares for rule change
40-second play clock will now be used in effort to reduce the length of college football games
By Taylor Bern (Contact)
Thursday, August 28th, 2008
A new season brings with it a new set of rules, and the one change that Big 12 coaches have their eye on most is the new play clock.
The old 25-second play clock has been scrapped in favor of the 40-second running clock used by the NFL. The goal is to try and shorten the college game to keep the viewing public’s attention.
Instead of a 25-second play clock that starts when the ball is marked ready, the 40-second clock will start as soon as the previous play is whistled dead.
On an out-of-bounds play, the clock will start on the referees’ signal as opposed to the snap of the next play.
That second rule is void in the last two minutes of each half, when the clock won’t start until the play begins, just like the NFL.
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops sees the change as a way to standardize the clock rules, because it will no longer hinge on how quickly a referee places the ball.
“I think as much as anything, it’s going to make a consistent pace of play,” Stoops said.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said that since most teams in the conference were going to a no-huddle or hurry-up offense anyway, the new clock rules wouldn’t have any negative effects and could allow more plays per game.
STUCK IN NEUTRAL
Three Big 12 teams have difficult first games on neutral fields—sort of.
On Saturday afternoon, Oklahoma State will play Washington State in Seattle. The game is technically a home contest for the Cougars, but their fans will certainly outnumber the Cowboy faithful.
Gundy isn’t judging Washington State by its 5-7 record from a year ago, but more at the level of competition that it faced.
“They play in a BCS conference and they’re athletic,” Gundy said. “We don’t have any idea what they’re going to do.”
No. 6 Missouri’s Saturday evening match-up with No. 20 Illinois in St. Louis is the marquee game of the week. The Tigers’ national championship hopesdepend on winning this game.
“We’re certainly going to find out real fast where we’re at,” Coach Gary Pinkel said.
Pinkel will likely have to win without a pair of Alexanders. Pinkel said wide receiver Danario Alexander is out with an injury and linebacker Van Alexander is doubtful but will still travel with the team.
Sunday afternoon Colorado will battle Colorado State in the teams’ annual rivalry game in Denver. Last year the Buffaloes won 31-28 in overtime.
NEW SUBSCRIBER?
During Tuesday’s Big 12 coaches teleconference, Kansas State coach Ron Prince was asked if he would subscribe to Playboy after the gentleman’s magazine ranked his team No. 22 in its preseason poll.
Prince laughed off the question and the following comment that he could claim he only wanted it for the articles.
“I guess that’s nice that someone thought that we’re putting in the work to have a nice season,” Prince said.
In other Wildcat news, Prince said he’s finally found a starting running back.
After injuries and disciplinary issues left him with a depleted unit, Prince announced that junior Keithen Valentine has planted himself as the top tailback.
Valentine, a walk-on from Mississippi Delta Community College, ran for 104 yards on 15 carries in the spring game. Prince said he knew then that Valentine was a great speed runner, but didn’t realize how versatile he was.
“What I didn’t know he was capable of was to run with power, which he showed in our training camp,” Prince said. “That was probably our most pleasant surprise.
“He just seems to get the most out of every single run.”
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