Kirby Smart justifies CFB’s new overtime rules

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart spoke to the media after Georgia’s epic 44-42 eight-overtime win over Georgia Tech.

College football’s overtime rules were recently changed to require teams to make consecutive two-point conversions after the second overtime period. Previously, teams started at the 25-yard line and were forced to try two-point attempts after touchdowns starting in the third overtime.

Essentially, the new rules turn the game into a battle of two-point conversions, with every play a matter of life and death. Each conversion could win, lose or extend the game.

Smart had only experienced the new overtime rules as Georgia’s head coach at the Georgia Tech game.

“Well, if they played it like they used to, we might still be out there. That’s why they changed it,” Smart said after the game.

Georgia looked pretty worn out after a grueling SEC schedule and a total of 10 Power Four opponents.

“And that was a long time…When I look at it, we played 84 games. We played 84 plays on our defense, and then our offense had 69, which is partly our own fault. But if it goes to overtime, man.” “It really could be… I was part of that game and the reason they changed it was just that,” Smart said.

At a certain point the players are exhausted, but overtime is rare and there has to be a better way to decide the game. Continuous two-point conversions just don’t have the flow of a normal football game. Perhaps it would help to shorten the overtime periods if the offense started from a longer distance.

“I mean, we have to play another game next week, so someone is sitting out there saying, ‘Keep playing. Make more snaps that you play. We’re a struggling football team, folks. We’re banged up.” Smart continued. Georgia won’t have long to lick its wounds. The Bulldogs play in the SEC championship game on Saturday.

“We need to get healthy and that’s not going to happen this week. So we have to keep improving,” Smart added.

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This article originally appeared on Bulldogs Wire: Kirby Smart justifies CFB’s new overtime rules