[NU Sports] Football Rule changes for 2012

[Dennis W. Brandt]

> The NCAA will join the NFL in in 2012 in moving kickoffs from the 30 to
> the 35 yard line.

It isn't a good rule in the NFL, and it isn't a good rule in the NCAA 
either.

> However, the NCAA will also move touchbacks to the 25 instead of the 20.
> ESPN says is suppposed to  encourage more touchbacks.  That may be true 
> for
> the receiving team, but if that affects field goals as well as kickoffs,
> it isn't clear how that will affect kicking team decision making.

Encourage more touchbacks?  How?  Since the kicking team is five yards 
closer and there is essentially a five-yard penalty for kicking the ball 
into the endzone, I suspect strategy will be to kick to the goal line since 
they have five yards less to reach the ball carrier.  While the NCAA may 
look to reduce injuries on kickoffs, I think they've encouraged more 
contact.  If they want to eliminate injuries on kickoffs, then let's just 
let the other team start on the 25-yard line after a score.  Might as well 
completely discourage one of the most exciting plays in football.

> A rule I have favored for a while has also been passed.  A player whose
> helmet comes off during a play must leave the game for one play.

Why if he's not hurt?

> Also, players cannot leap over blockers when trying to block punts.

If a guy has the skill to leap over the other team's players without 
assistance, so what?  If the blocker is flat on the ground, the rusher has 
to go around him?

The NCAA rules committee has WAY too much free time on its hands.