Crimson Red Sports

The more I watch college games that go into overtime, the more convinced I am that the NFL has it right.  The college OT system puts too much emphasis on field goal kicking, and none on punt and kickoff units.  No emphasis on field position.  The college OT system is nothing more than glorified soccer.

I agree that it needs some tweaking.

At least start the OT possessions out of FG range. 50yd. line?

This right here is the crucial flaw. The NFL OT is a continuation of the same game that was tied. College football is closer to the, dare I say it, soccer approach, which essentially settles one type of game with a completely different type of contest. College creates not quite as much a different game in OT as soccer, but it's still not right.

On the other hand the games can't stretch on for hours either. Midfield would be a fine place to start.

I think the OT rules are bad. If no NFL plan, then each team should start at the +40 or even the 50. Make a team move the ball to get into position. The 25 yard line plan doesn't require a team with a good kicker to move the ball.

I propose we do away with field goals in OT and make teams score a TD. Leave the setup as now, each team gets to start from the 25.

But on the other hand, the NFL system of sudden death puts a lot of weight on a coin toss.

Furthering your proposal, eliminate special teams altogether with taking the XP out and mandating a 2 pointer. BTW, the coin toss is controversially pivotal in both systems.

I think a good mixture of the two is needed. Perhaps start each teams' possession with a kickoff. Require them to drive the field. If there is a fumble or turnover, allow it to be returned for six and the game is over. I basically think each team should have an offensive possession with equal opportunity. But just placing it on the 25 isn't the answer. I like a combination of the CFB and NFL model.

Do away with the coin toss. Rock-paper-scissors. More strategy involved.

I do not like the NFL system. I think the ball should be moved back to the 40 or 50yd line. You should have to make a first down or two before you kick. Another option is to go the high school route and start at the 10. No one would be kicking FG with the other team starting at the 10.

The original idea of two short possessions was to get the game over quickly. Right now OT takes longer than the 4th quarter.

Take dynamite.

 How about "our coach fights your coach?"

How about a couple of 2 minute mini-halves?  Use the exact same rules as the regular game.  Have a coin toss just like you do at the beginning of the game.  The only difference is the half only lasts for 2 minutes and it is not broken into 2 quarters.  Then once the first OT half is over, switch sides and the other team gets the ball to start the next 2 minute session.  Scoring doesn't end the game.  It keeps going until the end of the 4 minutes.  If they are still tied, do it again.  I suspect this would be about as fast as the current OT, but it does not change the rules or emphasis of the game in any way.  You still have to KO, you still have to punt if your drive stalls, and all the rest.  Field position becomes important again.

The more I think about it, the more I like it.

It favors a spread type "high flying" offense over the grind it out long time consuming drives. >:(

I like the idea of the coaching fighting but not to start the game. That should be done at halftime.

Whole new meaning for the Ohio State "dot your eye" thing.

True, but every team has to be prepared for the 2 minute drill if they are going to be in a close game, and you can't get any closer than a tie.

 :tinfoil: :tinfoil: :tinfoil: :tinfoil: :tinfoil:

Of course, in a LSU-Alabama style game they may not ever score if you don't cheat for the offense by giving them the ball in FG range to start.

We need one that emphasizes defense. "How many plays does it take to score from the 10" or "total amount of slobber knockers".  

Only fair thing to do is start  whole new 60 minute ball game with 4 quarters and 3 OTs per half. Get to see which team is in th best shape this way.


 :tinfoil:

Making the other team drive the field in 2 minutes emphasizes defense IMO.  Good chance for a pick 6 too.

Maybe we increase it from 2 minutes to 5 minutes per OT half.  You can still run the ball with 5 minutes.

Most viewers of a game are unattached to either team. Some TV viewership guy on the networks payroll has already figured people stay tuned to OT because they think a winner may come any second now. So when they figure it'll take at least 10 minutes and with TOs, commercials, etc. that'll turn into 45 minutes, they will go on to bed. I'll bet that comes into play with any such decision.

BTW, 5 minutes is still to short a time frame to run a "run heavy" offense. Especially if you turn the ball over and have to get it back to score. Your idea may play well around the nation though,-- the SEC not so much. It does give defenses a lot more to do than just block kicks.

Whoever has the most National Championships wins?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Bring back the tie. If two teams have played an entire game even, it's artificial to force a win. If we still had ties, Bama would now be undefeated and outsiders wouldn't be complaining that we're in the NC game.

Okay, Coach Bryant said ties were like kissing your sister. But I never had a sister.

 :lol:

I think I would prefer each team getting a possession as now starting at the 50 (or even at one's own 30 where you have to mount a drive) over the NFL sudden death system.  As ALTideUp mentioned, it relies too much on a coin toss.  I'd be more inclined to like the NFL system if it wasn't sudden death and they actually played an additional full quarter.

In the end both college and NFL OT systems probably beat other sports like soccer and hockey.

Baseball and basketball do it best though.