Aside from evolving out of a "three yards and a cloud of dust" philosophy, something happened in the 60's that changed the game forever. There was a rule change that brought about a whole new direction for college football. Up until that time, college football was plagued by a “limited substitution” rule throughout the 50’s and early 60’s. This, of course, meant everyone had to play both offense and defense. Because of this, players had to be in tremendous physical condition. It also meant, coaches in recruiting, could not afford to waste their scholarships on the big overweight offensive linemen who were strictly one way players.

It was January, 1964 and the N.C.A.A. Football Rules Committee met and decided to make a rule change regarding substitution. Almost overnight, the rule became “free substitution” which meant that college teams could now play two platoon football. This, allowed players to learn only one position, and “specialize” either on offense or defense. Naturally, there were some players who continued to play both ways. Coaches felt they would rather have them –with their greater ability— in the game a little tired, than someone else fresh as a daisy.

Suddenly, the doors of opportunity were flung wide open for the big man to enter. Soon thereafter, coaches became busier than one armed paper hangers, beating the bushes for all the big guys they could find. From that time, up to the present, the offensive lines kept getting bigger every year. Today it is not unusual to see offensive lines averaging well over 300 pounds at almost all levels.

It didn't involve any rule change, but there was another major area that changed. It was the understanding and use of proper weight training techniques. Up until the sixties, it was commonly believed that lifting weights would cause athletes to become “muscle bound”. Lifting weights was for those pro wrestlers that strutted their stuff around VeniceBeach. Not for real athletes. Today, of course, no self respecting program at any level operates without a strength coach and a year-round lifting program.

Most of the younger players and coaches aren't aware of those "good ole" days. That's a pity because they aren't aware of the price paid by players who came before and made the game what it is today.