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College football rule changes we’d love to see happen

By Michael Collins

Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a yellow penalty flag during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeat the Red Raiders 63-35. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a yellow penalty flag during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at AT&T Stadium. The Bears defeat the Red Raiders 63-35. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars celebrate a touchdown catch by wide receiver Mitchell Juergens (87) in the end zone for the go ahead score against the Boise State Broncos during the fourth quarter at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Brigham Young won the game 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars celebrate a touchdown catch by wide receiver Mitchell Juergens (87) in the end zone for the go ahead score against the Boise State Broncos during the fourth quarter at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Brigham Young won the game 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 – Excessive Celebration

Here we come to the granddaddy of dumb college football rules…excessive celebration.

To be clear, there is no need to taunt opposing teams or to become obnoxious about celebrating. I think making grand gestures after a quarterback sack, making a first down, or simply catching the ball should be looked at as excessive.

But to penalize kids – and make no mistake, these are all kids – for their youthful exuberance when doing something spectacular or scoring at a time that will really impact that game is just downright dumb. As long as they aren’t involving members of the opposing teams or making inappropriate gestures, let them celebrate.

You aren’t paying them. You keep them under scholarship lock and key. At the very least (and I do mean least), let them enjoy the spoils of their hard work by celebrating with teammates.

Here’s the rule:

"Rule 9-2, Article 1 prohibits “Any delayed, excessive, prolonged or choreographed act by which a player (or players) attempts to focus attention upon himself (or themselves)”; in addition, Rule 9-2, Article 1 asserts that “After a score or any other play, the player in possession immediately must return the ball to an official or leave it near the dead-ball spot.”"

Yeah, you just scored the potential game winning touchdown against a rival school you haven’t beaten in 15 years…now quietly hand the ball to the ref and go sit down, you selfish boy.

The worst part about this foul is that officials have no standard on which to judge what is “excessive”, and while some teams get away with what might seem a good deal of end zone partying, other teams are penalized for even some joyful group jumping – a penalty on the ensuing kickoff which can (and has) affect the outcome of the game (Georgia fans, you know what I’m talking about).

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Don’t even try to tweak it. Just do away with the rule. If an individual player gets out of hand or taunts, you always have the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on which to fall back.

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