[M T]

[quote author=MT link=topic=16185.msg180728#msg180728 date=1480213817]
What the heck is the definition of the neutral zone?  On those two called offsides, the player's feet were clearly never in line with any portion of the ball until after the snap.  I've certainly seen people line up that tight.

Neutral zone is the length of the ball.
[/quote]
The NCAA football rules give the width of the n.z (as you stated) and that it runs from sideline to sideline, but aren't specific as to that the neutral zone is from the front of the ball to the rear of the ball.  I also note that the neutral zone is defined as being on the ground.  I see no verbiage that indicates it extends above the ground at all.

So I don't understand why the official twice flagged Stanford for offsides when no portion of the player's feet were beyond the forward point of the ball.  In both cases, the Stanford player jumped forward, but never entered/touched the neutral zone.  In the second one (2nd 1:32), the player's feet were at least a foot from the neutral zone.  That's not even close.  In the first one (2nd 3:15), the player's hands were a couple of inches from the neutral zone.  As I understand the rules, that's not offsides, but I could see an official making a mistake.  But at that point, the line judge's eyes would be looking down the line and he should be able to distinguish that.  True, he doesn't have the chance to look at it in replay, but, as I said, the 2nd one wasn't anywhere close.  (Yes, on TV, we have the dark line that indicates the line of scrimmage, but that of course isn't official.  It is also the case that the neutral zone is where the ball is put into play (before being touched by the center), not where the ball is.  I've seen the center move the ball quite  a lot before hiking it.)

[M T]

[quote author=MT link=topic=16185.msg180728#msg180728 date=1480213817]
What the heck is the definition of the neutral zone?  On those two called offsides, the player's feet were clearly never in line with any portion of the ball until after the snap.  I've certainly seen people line up that tight.

Neutral zone is the length of the ball.
[/quote]
The NCAA football rules give the width of the n.z (as you stated) and that it runs from sideline to sideline, but aren't specific as to that the neutral zone is from the front of the ball to the rear of the ball.  I also note that the neutral zone is defined as being on the ground.  I see no verbiage that indicates it extends above the ground at all.

So I don't understand why the official twice flagged Stanford for offsides when no portion of the player's feet were beyond the forward point of the ball.  In both cases, the Stanford player jumped forward, but never entered/touched the neutral zone.  In the second one (2nd 1:32), the player's feet were at least a foot from the neutral zone.  That's not even close.  In the first one (2nd 3:15), the player's hands were a couple of inches from the neutral zone.  As I understand the rules, that's not offsides, but I could see an official making a mistake.  But at that point, the line judge's eyes would be looking down the line and he should be able to distinguish that.  True, he doesn't have the chance to look at it in replay, but, as I said, the 2nd one wasn't anywhere close.  (Yes, on TV, we have the dark line that indicates the line of scrimmage, but that of course isn't official.  It is also the case that the neutral zone is where the ball is put into play (before being touched by the center), not where the ball is.  I've seen the center move the ball quite  a lot before hiking it.)