Perhaps the BEST B1G Forum anywhere, here at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

We were talking earlier about inconsistencies in rules, and one that I really don't like, is spiking the ball to stop the clock.

Under normal circumstances, throwing the ball directly into the ground, while in the pocket, not passing the ball past the LOS, and with no receivers in sight, is flagged for Intentional Grounding.  Why should it be different all of a sudden when a team wants to stop the clock?  Shouldn't they still be penalized?  

My position is, sure, you can stop the clock if you don't have any timeouts, but you still have to take the penalty yardage along with the loss of down.

The TE is by definition at the end of the line so nowhere near the ball being thrown into the turf directly behind the center, and the RB is either behind or beside the QB, not directly in front, and neither the TE nor the RB are diving to the ground immediately behind the center awaiting the ball.  So no, they don't meet the criteria.

It's intentional grounding, except for a specific rule that allows for it, and I think that's silly.  I'm all for simplifying the rulebook and removing extraneous and unnecessary rules.

If a team wants to ground the ball to stop the clock, that's fine.  You take the penalty yardage and the loss of down.  Simple and clean.

Alternatively we could just say that the play clock doesn't stop for incomplete passes and be done with it that way.  I'd be fine with that as well.

That's awesome!  Enjoy the long break.

Thanks!  Good luck vs the Utes tomorrow. 

These two utes...(in my best joe Pesci voice)

Tuesday (1)

Noon, ESPN
Belk Bowl
Virginia Tech v. Kentucky

In researching the Belk Bowl I've discovered this is the last Belk Bowl.  Belk is dropping out of the bowl, and if the bowl still exists it needs a sponsor, otherwise it's just the the Bowl.  Just saying, the BadgerFan Bowl could be a real thing.  Anyway, this matchup is pretty even on SP, as Kentucky is 37th and Tech is 40th.  This is Bud Foster's last game as Tech's defensive coordinator, and I haven't gotten to watch Kentucky all season but am kind of curious about their single wing offense.  If you didn't know, they basically put a running back in as their quarterback, did away with most passing, and beat the hell out of Louisville with their QB going 1-2 for 4 yards passing and running for 284 yards.

2 pm, CBS
Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
Florida State v. Arizona State

For the life of me I find these teams completely boring.  They are bother pretty average, unexciting, FSU has no coach, and I'm not interested in the Herm show.  So this game exists, for what it's worth.  BTW, why can't Norvell coach the team?  Is it a rule somewhere?  Contract? He didn't coach Memphis and he isn't coaching FSU.  I remember OSU had this situation with Urban Meyer, but I don't remember why.  The most interesting thing about this game is that they are being sponsored by a mascot.  Will the mascot show up and hang out with the other mascots?

3:45 pm, ESPN
Autozone Liberty Bowl
Navy v. Kansas State

Get your triple option dose today with Navy against a decent K State squad.  I like watching both of these teams, and they both love to run so we might get this one over in under two hours. An efficient afternoon of football.

4:30 pm, CBSSN
Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl
Wyoming v. Georgia State

One of those day after Christmas bowls snuck in today.

7:30 pm, ESPN
Valero Alama Bowl
Utah v. Texas

Texas is becoming OSU South, as Tom Herman, Chris Ash, and apparently Mike Yurcich (replacing Tim Beck) are all on board.  They will give putting together a coherent defense a good go next season, and maybe one day we don't have to have Oklahoma in the playoff.  Until then, we'll watch them tonight against a pretty good Utah team that does have a coherent defense.  

I see a CFB51 Bowl in our future.

Otherwise, a Mrs. Badgerfan Bowl.

It does?  I don't see that in the wording for the NCAA rule, although all I could find was this verbage and description.

https://www.ruletool.info/ncaa-rule-7-snapping-and-passing-the-ball/3/

It does say things like "to preserve yardage" and additional rules if it's done "to preserve time" but the specific exception is made for the immediate spike.

And I'm saying I don't like that exception.  Why does it exist?  It just adds another line item to an already too complex rulebook.

If you want to save time outs and still stop the clock, then you can take the penalty for grounding. Obviously just my opinion, I simply don't see a need to make a distinction in cases and treat them differently.

I like the rule because when I am a neutral fan it keeps games interesting longer.  

I think the Utes roll tonight.