Big Ten Conference Considering Goal-Line Cameras

August 8, 2012 · By · Filed Under Football 

It was announced earlier this year that the Southeastern Conference will experiment with wireless communication for officiating some football games this season. This technology has been used by soccer referees for several years now.

The NCAA football rules committee approved a waiver for the SEC to test the system only in SEC games. They hope this will help officials communicate and to identify pre-snap reads. It could also help the efficiency in penalty enforcement by reducing the need for huddling. It could also help coaches get better explainations.

Yesterday it was released that the Big Ten Conference is strongly considering an experiment with goal-line cameras at some football stadiums. This is meant to help instant replay officials get better reviews for goal-line plays.

Goal line cameras were tested this spring at Michigan and Michigan State. If they are approved they may move around the Big Ten stadiums in 2012. If the Big Ten makes them perminent, they would be installed at all Big Ten stadiums.

Last season Michigan State defeated Wisconsin on a last-second Hail Mary where the ball was deflected and caught right at the goal line. Some of the replays came from angles that were not directly on the goal line, but one angle appeared to be very close to the goal line. After several minutes of review the officials determined that Michigan State did score a touchdown to win the game.

The Jags will play at Nebraska on September 12, 2015 and, if approved, goal-line cameras could be installed by then. Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011.

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