For UIL, we already know that we won't be changing timing rules for 2024, like the NCAA is. Right?
Well, maybe. We won't be changing any fundamental or routine timing rules, including inside 2 minutes in the half. But, there is one item that will need to be addressed by the UIL.
How many of you are aware of 3-3-8-b & c? That's the 2-minute notification that previously existed for NCAA - and will still exist, in some form, for those rare instances in NCAA when the visual game clock fails. But, since the NCAA will have a 2MTO regardless if the visual clock is not working, 3-3-8-b may be moot. 3-3-8-c will probably still apply. But the rest of the rule will be heavily edited for the new 2MTO.
2023 3-3-8-b only applies when there is not a visual field clock. And that happens in UIL football, every year. Semi-frequently, it happens for sub-varsity football, and that won't change. Infrequently - but not rare - it happens at the varsity level, like when the game clock (or the whole scoreboard) goes on the fritz. So, then, we have to keep time on the field, manually. Not worried about the mechanics of that right now - another day. But, there is no doubt in my mind that 3-3-8-b will be changed significantly for NCAA, to accommodate their 2MTO. The language we have already seen indicates that the game clock will be stopped when the ball is dead with 1:59 or less remaining in the 2nd/4th period. And that will be irrespective of the play clock. So, 3-3-8-b-1 will probably go away entirely. Those are the items that will need to be addressed by the UIL.
The UIL will have to have an Exception to restore 2023 3-3-8-b (and it can remain "as is"). The UIL 'editor' will need to verify with the UIL if they want to NOT interrupt the play clock (per NCAA 2023), and leave 3-3-8-b-1 "as is," or allow the play clock to be interrupted (per NCAA 2024), and remove/edit it appropriately.
Yes, I am fully aware that this doesn't affect very many games, in the grand scheme of things. But, those are things of which the UIL "editor" needs to be aware, and address.
