Why the NCAA's anti-taunting rule is a good thing

I know what you are thinking...

Refereeing in NCAA football is so bad that there is no way they won't screw this up too.

And I know my opinion is in the minority here... but I am willing to give them a chance...

Among the new rules approved by the NCAA, starting in 2011, if a player taunts an opponent on the way to the end zone, he could lose the touchdown.  Previously, the penalty would have been assessed on the ensuing extra point attempt, two-point conversion attempt, or kickoff.

Now, the NCAA gets its share of criticism, and rightfully so.  The BCS is almost universally loathed.  Their plan to expand the NCAA basketball tournament from 65 to 96 teams has received little support.

However, this new anti-taunting rule is a good thing.

I know that there were a multitude of problems with SEC officiating in particular in 2009.  A post-play taunting call might have cost Georgia a chance to beat LSU. 

I fully expect some overeager official to flag a player for taunting when they dive into the end zone, even though that kind of thing will likely be interpreted as taunting after they cross the plain.  Referees are human, they make mistakes on pass interference, holding, offsides and every other penalty.  This will be no different.

Taunting after a play is over is a different situation.  The clock has stopped at that point.  That is why the taunting penalty should be assessed after the play.

Taunting that takes place while the clock is ticking should be assesesed just like any other penalty that takes place during a play.  Why should taunting be different just because someone eventually scored? 

If a receiver taunted an opponent on the way to the end zone, but was tackled at the two yard line, a flag would likely fly, and a personal foul called, giving that team the ball 15 yards from the spot of the foul.  What difference should it make whether he scored or not?

There is already too much taunting in the great sport of college football.  Teams jump on the midfield logo at their opponents stadium.  They plant their flags on the turf.  Coaches talk trash about opposing coaches and their fan bases.

I've seen football players pointing at opponents before they cross the goal line for decades.  At the University of Miami, this was practically a prerequisite prior to picking up six points in the 1980's..

It is simply not the right way to play.  I'll admit that some of my opinion probably comes from my place as a father with two small daughters.  I try to instill the right values and proper sportsmanship.  I hope I never see Lillian or Emily act in such a disrespectful manner on a playing field. 

Yes, football is an emotional game.  But why do those emotions make it ok to denegrate someone else? 

And if you just have to taunt... wait until you cross the goal line.

Is that so much to ask?

Leave your thoughts below... I look forward to reading them...