Until they change the rule, the Gophers have two choices:
1. tackle lower
2. keep getting guys kicked out of games.
The rule is the rule. The officials have made it crystal-clear that any contact helmet-to-helmet is going to be called. Maybe they'll change the rule in the future. Maybe I'll win the lottery.
So - the onus is on the players and coaches - either tackle lower, or give up 15 yards and get a key player kicked out of the game. Or, do nothing and keep complaining. Your choice.
And- if a key Gopher player was injured on a targeting play, the conversation on this board would be 100% different. If it hurts the Gophers, its a bad rule. If if helps the Gophers, its a good rule. Doesn't work that way in real life.
I'll disagree. The rule isn't the rule. Even with replay, it is incredibly arbitrary, just like it was before. It's still who you are, not how you play. Face mask to face mask shouldn't be a foul.
"No player shall target and make forcible contact against an opponent with the crown (top) of his helmet. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul.
No player shall target and make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent (See Note 2 below) with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow or shoulder. This foul requires that there be at least one indicator of targeting (See Note 1 below). When in question, it is a foul (Rules 2-27-14 and 9-6). (A.R. 9-1-4-I-VI)
Note 1: "Targeting" means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball. Some indicators of targeting include but are not limited to:
Launch—a player leaving his feet to attack an opponent by an upward and forward thrust of the body to make forcible contact in the head or neck area'
A crouch followed by an upward and forward thrust to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area, even though one or both feet are still on the ground.
Leading with helmet, shoulder, forearm, fist, hand or elbow to attack with forcible contact at the head or neck area.
Lowering the head before attacking by initiating forcible contact with the crown of the helmet.
Note 2: Defenseless player (Rule 2-27-14):
A player in the act of or just after throwing a pass.
A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass or in position to receive a backward pass, or one who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a ball carrier.
A kicker in the act of or just after kicking a ball, or during the kick or the return.
A kick returner attempting to catch or recover a kick, or one who has completed a catch or recovery and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a ball carrier.
A player on the ground.
A player obviously out of the play.
A player who receives a blind-side block.
A ball carrier already in the grasp of an opponent and whose forward progress has been stopped.
A quarterback any time after a change of possession.
A ball carrier who has obviously given himself up and is sliding feet-first."
Once again, they have to interpret what is in a player's heart. Stupid.