Could New Rule Proposals Change College Football?

College football is an ever-evolving sport. Each generation, we see the style of football change to better suit the athletes that are playing. However, as the game changes, so do the rules.

The NCAA have proposed a rule change that could potentially change the way football is played at the collegiate level. With the insertion of the "pop pass" (the pass option out of the zone read from the "spread" type teams), it has been well documented that offensive linemen moved downfield further on passing plays, sometimes resulting in an "ineligible receiver downfield" penalty, but most of the time it wasn't called.

The rule states that "No originally ineligible receiver shall be or have been more than three yards beyond the neutral zone until a legal forward pass that crosses the neutral zone has been thrown." With the new rule proposal, the three yard window would shrink down to one yard beyond the neutral zone.

Without getting too deep into the X's and O's, this rule change would benefit the defensive side of the ball greatly. Defensive players read the offensive linemen, and if the linemen block a certain way or shift a certain direction, the defense can tell whether the play is a run or pass.

Over the past couple years, defenses have seen a drastic increase in number of yards given up per game, and many suggest that allowing offensive linemen downfield on pass plays is a major factor in the outlandish increase in offensive production.

Former Florida State assistant coach Mickey Andrews was on "The Game" earlier this week, and he explained how this could not only give defenses a much needed break, but also the officials, who have a difficult time making the correct call on the field.

"I think through the years we've put additional pressure on officials by asking them to do more... It seems like to me that there are very few rule changes that are positive for the defense...

"What it does is identifies run or pass quicker for the defense. Basically, the only time you can be downfield more than a yard is when the ball is thrown behind the line of scrimmage."

The proposal will have a chance to be approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel in March, and if it is passed, could be a huge win for college football.

Well, only if you're a defensive minded fan. Offensive football fans may not be in favor of the possible change.