New NCAA rules to watch for

You're going to see big changes this year, most noticeably with the clock. But there are some other gems from our pals at the NCAA. Nothing as heinous as the failed halo rule enhancement of 2002, but a boneheaded idea or two in there. If you want to read all 266 pages, be my guest.

Thanks, Roy Williams: Rule 9-1-2-p, which brings the prohibition on horse collar tackles to college ball. Though the rule doesn't apply to QBs in the pocket or runners inside the tackle box.

Touch but don't twist: Rule 9-1-2-q, which eliminates the 5-yard penalty for facemasking. What makes me wince is this line: "It is not a foul if the face mask or helmet opening is not twisted, turned or pulled," which is essentially an invitation for disaster.

Playing with the clock: Alters pretty much all of Rule 3. This could make for a mess early in the season, especially with some of the smaller conference officials. Essentially, a 40-second play clock starts when a play is blown dead. If the ball isn't set by the time it reaches 20 seconds, the referee stops the clock, resets it to 25 seconds, and it starts ticking down once the ball is set for play. A 25-second clock remains in effect after certain kinds of play stoppages. Seriously, I wouldn't want to have to be in charge of the clock this year.

Sideline control: As the rulebook states, "No job means no sideline pass." Apparently, the NCAA wants to strip boosters and high-profile alums of their God-given right to wander the sidelines. Also, in Rule 9-1-6, the "sideline warning" has been eliminated, replaced with a 5-yard penalty. After two violations, it increases to 15 yards.