INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA will give college football coaches at least one replay challenge per game next season and require conferences to use a universal review format if Thursday's recommended changes by the rules committee are approved in March. I likey... you likey?
I really don't like the coaches challenge. I much prefer the way the SEC handled replay last year. Every play was reviewed in the booth, and play was stopped only on really close calls that needed more time to review. I don't think coaches should have any say in officiating just like officials have no business being involved in coaching.
I like it. Takes the officials from controlling the entire game and keeps them from f-ing it up by NOT reviewing a play that everyone and their grandmother knows that it should be (there were a FEW plays in the Michigan/Nebraska Alamo Bowl game that come to mind). It also keeps the officials out of the "blame game"....*see Alamo Bowl*--even though some times it was warranted to blame crappy officiating in reference to botched replay calls, etc....but giving the coaches the opportunity to challenge a play ON THEIR OWN, eases some of the criticism that the officials can create for themselves.
One of the members on our forum said: "Just one? Well Ferentz wouldn't have had a chance to review the offsides call on our onside kick at the end of th Florida game. He would have spent his one chance before halftime, easily." so, maybe one per half?
There are a lot of questions I have about this...but in general, I like the idea: improvement is definitely needed. With the coaches in the box have access to video feeds so they can look at the plays (review) also? Will a coach be able to challenge a penalty? Everything I've read (ESPN and CBS Sportsline) didn't mention what could be challenged. I don't see how this can be implemented all across the NCAA. Some of the smaller schools didn't have it last year because they didn't have TV coverage. That won't matter on the national picture...
I don't like it. It creates an extra game within the game. Let the guys in the booth review every play. There is too much of a chance that the refs will only screw up one time. What if they have 3 or 4 criticle mistakes? Well, too bad, you already used your challenge.
