3-2-5 and 3-2-5-e

In case you're wondering, this is the reason that we're seeing less football this year. These new rules, which reads as follows, were instituted this season:

Rule 3-2-5, When Clock Starts
Change: When the ball is free-kicked, the game clock will be started and subsequently stopped when the ball is dead by rule.

Rationale: By starting the clock when the foot touches the ball on kicks, the length of time to play the game will be less.

Rule 3-2-5-e, When Clock Starts
Change: When Team B is awarded a first down, the clock will be stopped and will start on the ready for play signal.

Rationale: By starting the clock, the committee estimates it will shorten the game by about five minutes, according to studies by several Division I-A conferences.

Lots to say here... I agree that televised college fooball games go waaay too long. But, the problem is the commmercials (another way for the NCAA to make money) and TV time outs, not the game itself. Although, it seems that we've lost more plays without losing any TV time at all. Check out the great work at the Wizard of Odds and the Men of the Scarlet and Grey on this:

WoO- Does Rule 3-2-5 fail to shorten games?

WoO- First Hard Data on 3-2-5-e

MotS&G- Shorter Games, Worse Stats

Another issue is the new replay system- in the FSU/Miami game, almost every call was getting reviewed. How does that help "move the game along"? I love replay, but how many freaking minutes of my life did we lose because the officials were afraid of making the wrong decision in the FSU/Miami game? I believe that it’s one of the unfortunate aspects of our blogified/YouTube world where everything can be dissected online immediately- if you can cover yourself by going to the video, you do.

Bottom line, I’d rather the game was solved on the field rather than in the commercial break or the replay booth.

But, if you want to do your part to protest 3-2-5 and 3-2-5e, you can do so here:

WeHateTheNewClock Rules.com