New NCAA kickoff rule

[fuhrdog]

The team receiving the kickoff may now “fair catch the kick inside the 25-yard line and have it result in a touchback.”

This is beyond stupid and if it's all for safety, fine...eliminate kick offs but this is horrible.

[Redbirds Fan]

I don't keep up that closely, but wouldn't the statistically smart play be to fair catch just about every time?

[revo]

I don't keep up that closely, but wouldn't the statistically smart play be to fair catch just about every time?

I wouldn't think so. If you're on the 0-10 yd line, maybe. But if you're at the 10-yd line or closer, there's no reason to do so (even the worst school averaged 17 yds per return). The kickoff return leaders seem to average 25-40 yds per return, so I would think many of these kids will just chance it.

[Redbirds Fan]

I wouldn't think so. If you're on the 0-10 yd line, maybe. But if you're at the 10-yd line or closer, there's no reason to do so (even the worst school averaged 17 yds per return). The kickoff return leaders seem to average 25-40 yds per return, so I would think many of these kids will just chance it.

Maybe so. I would guess that given the number of things that could go wrong, there would be pretty strict instructions to throw that arm up if you are past a certain point. Fumbles, lost yardage, injuries, penalties...well I guess there are just those things that could go wrong. But I would think there would be a lot of pressure on coaches to take the touchback.

[fuhrdog]

Fumbles, lost yardage, injuries, penalties...well I guess there are just those things that could go wrong. But I would think there would be a lot of pressure on coaches to take the touchback.

Agree since so many kickoffs seem to result in blocks in the back. It removes kicking it high and keeping it in play to try and pin a team deep late. I understand the safety concerns on kickoffs but feel this is where they went too far. Eliminating kickoffs makes more sense to me than this.