NCAA Rule change on linemen

[Texas Aggie]

When the official changes came out, I skimmed them, but now I'm finding out that there are what I consider major rule changes that weren't highlighted in the book and not at all talked about. One is going to be very problematic: the change from the required 7 men on the line to the now required 4 in the backfield. The new rule reads:

All players must be either on their scrimmage line or legally
positioned as a back. At least five players wearing jerseys numbered
50 through 79 must be legally on their scrimmage line, and no more
than four players may be in the backfield.

So now it appears that there is no longer a requirement of 7 on the line. A team can have 10 or even 9 players and as long as only 4 are in the backfield, they are legal. This is a huge fundamental change from football as I've always known it, and the wording is dangerously short sighted.

I've worked many games where a passing team will, either through mistake or indifference, have 8 or even 9 guys on the line on a running play. Before, there was never anything illegal about that, but now there is. But why? Does it confuse the defense? NO, and in fact, it tips off a smart defense (or coach) to the run since he now knows there are only a couple of eligible receivers rather than 3 or 4.

It is certainly easier to count the players when you only have to account for 4, and now, who really cares if there are 11 on the field or not? But I think it does a disservice to the game and this administrative change is something the committee should have not only highlighted, but listed as a major rules change.