Cutting through the chatter on clock changes

A different take on the new game-shortening rules. ...

First the facts: Through one-third of the season, the average game is down 13 plays (141.2 to 127.82) and the average length is down approximately 15 minutes (from 3:20 to 3:05).

Stop whining: These new rules weren't sprung on coaches by surprise.

In fact, coaches had six weeks to respond to the rules after they were first announced in February. The usual comment period from the NCAA rules committee is two weeks but because of the controversial nature of the new rules, more time was given.

Coker is one of several coaches with clock issues. (Getty Images)

Part of the problem might have been the way the press release itself was written. It led with changes in instant replay. The news about the clock running on kickoffs and on change of possession was buried at the end.

That still doesn't absolve the coaches or their organization, the American Football Coaches Association. Most coaches seemed to start complaining around the time preseason media days started in July.

How many, if any, started practicing with the new rules in the spring? In fall drills?

"Either they were not responsive to the AFCA or the impact was just greater than they thought it would be," said Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany, whose coaches approved of the rules in preliminary discussions 7-4.

TV influenced the decision to shorten games: Not true, but TV types had to love the concept.

The networks like it because it is important to hit the weekend nightly news time slot at approximately 6 p.m. ET. The vast majority of games are on cable outlets.

But all television executives are aware of our ever-shrinking short-attention span and our graying population. It's not too outlandish to suggest that the only people watching all of a particular game are those in the stands.

There are millions at home with a second-by-second choice to make.

"They've got the clicker, they're moving around," Delany said. "If you look at how people consume information, especially people under 20 years old, that's our future fan. We've got to be mindful of that.