Return to old timing rules good for the college game

There were bigger games that paired better teams, but few had the raw drama of Northwestern's double-overtime shootout last Saturday against Minnesota.

The teams combined for 97 points, 169 plays and 1,169 yards. Quarterbacks C.J. Bacher and Adam Weber put on a show, and wide receiver Ernie Wheelwright made electrifying catches.

Touchdowns were traded and nerves were tested.

The game lasted 3 hours, 56 minutes, but did anyone mind?

Now here's a thought for those who attended or watched on TV: If the same game had been played a year earlier, it likely would have been stripped of any suspense.

Under the clock rules implemented before the 2006 season, a 21-point deficit with 17 minutes to play, like the one Northwestern faced Saturday, was a death sentence. Too much time would have ticked off following possession changes for the Wildcats to complete their comeback.

The effort to shorten games would have prevented a memorable one from running its course.

Mercifully, the NCAA rules committee turned back the clock for 2007.

"The timing rules that were there last year really diminished the college game," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "You get X amount of games in your college career, and then to have the games shortened doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

"Two minutes in the college game is an eternity -- except for last year. We've gotten back the purity."

There's no question that college games are too long. The average length of Football Bowl Subdivision games through last Saturday was 3 hours, 22 minutes.

But the trimming tactics of 2006 were way off base. By starting the clock before the snap, two-minute drills were botched and teams with the lead tried roguish tactics to kill time and stay in front.

"I felt like the game was too fast," Northwestern running back Omar Conteh said. "Time was just gone."

Moving kickoffs back 5 yards to the 30-yard line has limited touchbacks and saved time this season. Another positive step arrives next season with the implementation of the NFL-style 40-second play clock, which starts immediately after a play is whistled dead.

Improvements also could be made in shortening replay reviews.

But saturating the rulebook with ways to save time isn't the right approach. Players train year-round for 12 games a season, and more often than not they produce exciting finishes.

The least we can do is spare a few more minutes on Saturday afternoons.

LSU's blunder on the bluegrass kept me at 3-1 last week. Here's a look at this week's games:

Michigan St. at Ohio St., 2:30 p.m., Channel 7

The skinny: Sparty showed moxie last week against Indiana, but Ohio State will march all the way to New Orleans.

The pick: OSU 34, MSU 21

Florida at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m., Channel 2

The skinny: I love 'Dre Woodson and Kentucky, but Tim Tebow and Florida prevail against the nation's 99th-ranked run defense.

The pick: Florida 28, UK 24

Michigan at Illinois, 7 p.m., Channel 7

The skinny: Running back Mike Hart plays and the Wolverines contain Illinois' one-dimensional offense.

The pick: Michigan 28, Illinois 20

Auburn at LSU, 8 p.m., ESPN

The skinny: Auburn has impressive road wins against Florida and Arkansas, but the tour ends tonight against some angry Tigers.

The pick: LSU 24, Auburn 10

Rittenberg on the season: 19-9