NCAA changes touchback line from 20 to 25. and kickoff to 35 yd line

[Alsacs]

http://college-football.si.com/2012/02/10/feelingsball-infects-rules-committee/?sct=cf_wr_a1

Big changes by the NCAA. I expected the kickoff change to the 35 yd line because of the NFL doing it, but by moving the touchback line to the 25 more teams will go for it on 4th down in the opposition territory rather than pooch punt and only gain 10-15 yds.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

These are only recommendations.

All rules change recommendations must be approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel, which meets via conference call Feb. 21. The proposals will first be sent to the NCAA membership for comment.

 

[orange79]

I understand moving the kicking line up. But changing game strategy by moving the touchback line to the 25? Very, very odd. That really changes so much strategy (as mentioned above and in the article). That would be game-changing, IMO.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Hey we could finally put some kickoffs into the endzone!

 

[javadoc]

Moving the touchback line out to the 25 also means that there may be fewer touchbacks - kickers will try to kick it to the goal line and have the cover team take the guy down at the 20 or so.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Moving the touchback line out to the 25 also means that there may be fewer touchbacks - kickers will try to kick it to the goal line and have the cover team take the guy down at the 20 or so.

Kick coverage being 5 yards off the ball vs 10 will negate that heavily. Coverage will take longer to get down the field as a result and the front row of blockers wont be getting lined up to get hammered as easily. Would make onsides kicks alot different though.

 

[OrangeAl]

These ideas sound like something that should be experimented with first. Remember when the Big East basketball conference tried giving players six fouls instead of five? It was useful to see the benefits and drawbacks before deciding on an NCAA-wide change in that rule.