Did you know that a college football player cannot wear a glove that connects any of the fingers and/or thumb?
Guess that pretty much rules out wide receivers wearing Derek Jeter-model mitts.
Anyway, the glove rule is one of several that will go into effect this season. However, the only one that really will affect fans — both at home and in the stands — is one we’re already familiar with because the NFL has been doing it forever.
Starting this fall, college referees will be announcing the number of the player who committed a foul.
It’s about time.
In some instances, the number of the guilty player doesn’t really matter. Delay of game, for example. In other cases, it’s usually obvious when a lineman jumps before the snap and illegal procedure is called, or if a defensive lineman is offside. And it’s rarely a secret who commits pass interference.
But there always have been the mystery penalties — primarily holding, personal foul and unsportsmanlike conduct. We never have known the numbers of the guilty. Now we will.
Nine times out of 10, the name of the miscreant is meaningless. But if the flag turns out to have an impact on the outcome, the player should be identified because he is no different than the player who visibly loses a fumble or throws an interception.
Speaking of numbers, I’m happy to report the weekly Wanna Whack Woodling contest is back. Every week until the end of Kansas University’s season, I’ll pick the winners of games involving Big 12 Conference teams. You can access the contest form on the Web at KUsports.com.
Each weekly winner will receive a “We Whacked Woodling” T-shirt, an item so coveted that they almost never show up on eBay.
Here are my season-opening picks (The Texas A&M-Utah game isn’t included, nor will any other league games played on Thursday nights):
Oklahoma 39, Bowling Green 6 — Sooners begin another season of going bowling by bowling over BeeGees, who just are hopin’ to be stayin’ alive in Norman.
Northern Iowa 9, Iowa State 5 — Punchless Cyclones suffer ignominious home loss to school where associate head coach Terry Allen once was head coach.
Oklahoma State 40, UCLA 38 — Pistol Pete and Vernand Morency team to ride herd over Bruins in nationally televised shoot-out.
Nebraska 66, Western Illinois 6 — Fitting that Bill Callahan will debut his West Coast offense against a school with West in its name. Leathernecks settle for fat paycheck, but wish they had scheduled Nebraska Wesleyan instead.
Missouri 49, Arkansas State 0 — Mizzou mangles boys from Jonesboro while tuning up for next Thursday’s trip to Troy State. Troy State???
Alabama-Birmingham 17, Baylor 13 — Both teams wear green-and-gold togs, so it won’t be easy to distinguish Bears from Blazers, or Blazers from Bears. In the end, Blazers distinguish themselves.
Texas 30, North Texas 2 — Not exactly a great intrastate rivalry, but it could be worse. Longhorns could be playing Sul Ross State or Abilene Christian or Kilgore JC.
Kansas State 37, Western Kentucky 3 — Wildcats’ fans confused. Western Kentucky is located in Bowling Green, but isn’t Oklahoma playing Bowling Green? Bada boom.
Colorado State 44, Colorado 42 — Centennial State rivalry no longer played in Denver. This one’s in Boulder, but Rams maintain hex over headline-battered Buffs.
Texas Tech 55, SMU 27 — Sonny Cumbie. Remember the name. He’s the new punk in the Red Raiders’ aerial fireworks show. That’s Cumbie. Not Gumbie.
Kansas 43, Tulsa 10 — Will we see Charles Gordon catch a touchdown pass, return an interception for a score and carry a punt back for a TD? Probably not, but the possibility exists.
