When Auburn opens the season next year against Louisiana-Monroe, you might notice a few changes in the way the clock runs as well as a few of the penalties. The NCAA decided the time was right to change things up a little, and here’s what they did:

“* The 25-second clock is gone. Instead, there will be a 40-second clock that will start immediately after the end of each play. Previously, the 25-second clock didn’t start until the ball was marked ready to play by the officials.”

NFL rule copy #1. While I like this, something interesting to consider is that previously, it took the officials about 14 seconds on average to spot the ball. That meant that teams had that time plus the original 25 seconds on the play clock to get set. So basically, teams had - on average - 39 seconds to call in a play and get the snap off before the new rule, and now they will have 40 seconds. So this is not too big of a deal, but it might help the hurry-up offense if we are running it.

“* The clock will stop when a player goes out of bounds, but the clock will restart when the ball is marked ready for play. Previously, the clock did not start until the ball was snapped. The new rule will not apply in the final two minutes of the first half or the final two minutes of the game.”

This just seems dumb. The more football, the better. No need to rush the clock. And it changes in the final two minutes, which is just…silly really. It’s a made for TV speed-up-the-game rule.

“* All facemask penalties will be 15 yards. There will no 5-yard incidental facemask penalty.”

This either will screw us at some point in the season or help us immensely. The main point of this, I think, is that officials had trouble determining what was defined as “intentional” and what was defined by “unintentional”.

“* When a kickoff goes out of bounds, the receiving team will have the option of taking the ball on its 40-yard line, instead of the 35 as the past.”

NFL rule copy #2. We had better not kick the ball out of bounds.

“* Coaches who use an instant replay challenge will get an extra one if a challenge is upheld. Previously, coaches had just one challenge, regardless of what the ruling was.”

NFL rule copy #3. But it does make some sense.

“* There will no longer be sideline warnings for players and coaches who crowd the field during games. Instead, officials can assess a 5-yard penalty without warning.”

If nothing else, this should help keep Spurrier in check. Just pray that it doesn’t kill a game-winning drive at some point by accident.

“* A “horse collar” tackle, in which a defender grabs a runner inside the back of his shoulder pads, will now be a personal foul.”

This rule needed to be implemented about five years ago. Good call.

So some of these changes are good, some are really not changes, and some are just dumb. Quite honestly, the only necessary one is the horse collar one. Other than that, I could have done without the NCAA changing things up.

Only twelve days until spring practice begins!!!!

That’ll be 15 yards, thank you very much…