The play clocks at Owen Field sit atop the stadium. Anyone who has ever played there knows. But those who watch Oklahoma on a regular basis better get familiar with them as well.
Most coaches believe those small digital clocks will have a bigger impact on college football than ever before. There hasn’t been a rule change in college football that’s caused coaches to reevaluate their approach so distinctly since, perhaps, the forward pass was introduced.
“Everybody is going to be forced to use a more rapid pace,” OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said.
Football’s getting faster?
The game already moves in flashes when the ball is snapped. Holes open and close in the blink of an eye. Receivers go from open to covered at a similar speed.
How could it get faster?
The time between plays will be shorter
The rule changes with the 40/25 play clock will force what goes on before and after those snaps to happen even faster. This season the play clock will start at 40 seconds after each play ends. The only exceptions will be penalties and changes in possession.
The consequence will be less time for coaches to call plays and even less time for defenses to get lined up. But the most critical seconds lost could come with that extra couple of seconds defenses use to catch their breath.
OU’s spent most of the spring and August trying to speed up on both sides of the ball.
“You just can’t take your time anymore,” OU quarterback Sam Bradford said.
How well teams adjust could be a big factor this season. Teams like Missouri and Texas Tech should have no problems. The Tigers and Red Raiders were already employing no-huddle offenses and routinely snapped the ball within 10 seconds of the referee putting it into play.
The Sooners expect to face as many as 10 teams that employ similar philosophies this season. That pace can exact a toll on defenses.
“When you’re not used to it, it’s taxing,” OU safety Nic Harris said. “You’d get extremely winded. That first series, you’re going on adrenaline rush and you’re at a high. It’s different against a spread offense using a quick count. They’re running people in and out and you have to get your call. You have to pay attention.”
There’s no doubt defenses believe the rule change will have the biggest impact on them. After all, they adjust to what offenses do. Their calls and alignments are based on offensive personnel.
“You’re trying to develop a whole new approach from a defensive standpoint,” Venables said. “Even if they’re not no-huddle, they have to pick up the pace. From a defensive standpoint, you stay ahead or stay with it.
“The game will happen faster from a management style on both sides of the ball. You have to rely on your players to manage it for you at a more rapid pace than they’ve ever been asked to.”
Just about every Sooner says this August has been moving in fast forward. Drills are faster, coaches are coaching faster, even the breaks are faster.
To some it might not seem like a big deal. By next season, it probably won’t be. The NFL went to the system over a decade ago and adjusted just fine.
But when an adjustment is made, no one wants to be left behind.
“Some teams will struggle with it and others won’t,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.
To be one of those that won’t, the Sooners have sped everything up.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
Sooners catching up to play clock
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