Getty Image
A major rule change appears to be on the way for college football.
After the Michigan Wolverines were caught traveling to games in order to steal signs from opposing teams, one major question arose: why are teams not using in-helmet radios to call plays?
Well, now they will. At least if the NCAA Football Rules Committee has its way.
Chris Vannini of The Athletic reports that the committee will meet later this month to determine whether or not to helmet communication as well as sideline tablets to evaluate in-game tape.
College Coaches Praise Introduction Of New Technology For Play Calls
Several teams tested out the technology during bowl games and the feedback was largely positive.
“We practiced with it four times going into the game, and it was probably one of our cleanest operations when it comes to the sideline and communication,” Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said of his team’s use of helmet communication in a 34-14 Independence Bowl victory over Cal.
While Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock said the tech was a huge help for his team.
“We’re a huddle team, so talking to the quarterback, we were able to put in more offense, more motions and shifts, make sure everyone was right,” he said “It really helped us out. We didn’t have any procedural penalties. We did a lot of offense and stayed clean, a lot of that due to helmet communication.”
Northern Illinois beat Arkansas State 21-19 in Camellia Bowl.
Arkansas State coach Butch Jones said that the tech was helpful, but that his team still had use for hand signals.
“We still signaled in because receivers gotta get them,” Jones said. “We wanted to keep as minimal change as possible for the flow of the game (and) we have a system in place of what we do, and with a limited amount of time, we didn’t want to disrupt that.”
College Football Rule Change Would Differ From Those In NFL
Unlike in the NFL, the introduction of helmet communication and sideline tablets didn’t include limitations.
Teams could use the tablets to watch video, while in the NFL, teams can only view still images. Coaches could also communicate with players all way up until the time of the snap. But in the NFL, communications shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock.
Those rules still need to be ironed out. But it appears college football is finally ready to step into the 21st century.