Today, in NFL lite

Dennis Dodd:

The NCAA is expected to approve today rules changes proposed earlier this year that will allow the clock to run after first downs are achieTodaved in all divisions except Division III, CBS Sports has learned. The clock will continue to stop after first downs during the final two minutes of each half.

… Stopping the clock after first downs has been one of the rules that has differentiated college football from the NFL since 1968. Allowing the clock to run is expected to reduce the number of plays by an average of seven per game, according to Steve Shaw, secretary-editor of the rules committee.

Seven plays a game may not seem like much, but it’s gonna make it harder for a team to mount a comeback late.  Ah, well — when you’re out to shorten the game without impacting commercial time, something’s gotta give.

“That is the life of a walk-on.”

Clemson’s got itself a roster management problem.

Former Clemson walk-on football players are in jeopardy of losing their scholarships as the program has surpassed its 85-scholarship limit.

Clemson currently has 88 scholarship players mainly due to an influx of seniors returning for their final year. However, the program must meet its max of 85 by August…

Swinney mentioned three players—long snapper Holden Caspersen, quarterback Hunter Helms and running back Domonique Thomas—that the program awarded scholarships to ahead of last season.

“Those are three guys that came here as walk-ons, and all of those guys we felt earned scholarships,” Swinney said. “But in a situation like this, that is where you would have to start. Who knows, though, what will happen? We have until August. Somebody may leave, I don’t know. We’ve got a plan and we will be at 85 when we get to September.”

The thing here isn’t that what Dabo’s proposing is unusual.  I’m sure every programs goes through similar tough calls.  What’s worrthy of some mockery, though, is how stuff like this comports with Dabo’s folksy platitudes about commitment.

Dabo: Kids these days have no commitment and are just looking out for themselves.
Also Dabo: https://t.co/vdWFaLRgq5

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) April 19, 2023

Good thing he’s got a plan.

Time of possession is a meaningless stat…

… except when it’s not.

What teams make Time of Possession a part of their team design and strategic path to victory? Over the last three years, these teams have won TOP battle 65%+ of games AND won 80%+ of time when winning TOP battle:
1️⃣ @AF_Football
2️⃣ @GeorgiaFootball
3️⃣ @OhioStateFB
4️⃣ @Pitt_FB…

— SportSource Analytics (@SportSourceA) April 21, 2023

Now, Smart may not like to refer to TOP per se, I’ll grant you.  He’d rather talk about limiting opponents’ opportunites on offense.  It’s a distinction without much of a difference.  Either way, consider it will being imposed.