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Do officials make calls with their wallets? - Sep 12, 2008 | 15:46:17
posted by: Marta Lawrence
"College football officials call 'em like they're paid to call 'em." Ummm...what? If you aren't an avid reader of OrlandoSentinel.com, you likely missed Mike Bianchi sports commentary in which he essentially accused conference officials of being on the take. He writes, "Don't get me wrong, I'm not accusing college football refs of intentionally cheating. I'm just saying when one conference signs your paycheck, you're going to make darn sure that conference gets the benefit of the doubt. It's human nature." Certainly, Bianchi has a right to his opinion, but his one-sided rant doesn't take into account the good work of groups like the College Football Officiating, LLC, which has made a concentrated effort to develop consistency in the interpretation and application of the NCAA football playing rules. Several conferences have combined their clinics in an effort for more officials to hear the same interpretations and clarifications regarding the rules, and some have established "hybrid" crews composed of officials from both conferences. There isn't a ref in the country that wants to get a call wrong, regardless of what conference signs their paychecks. Bianchi's implication to the contrary is an unfair characterization of the many dedicated, hard-working and conscientious individuals who serve as college football officials. A few months ago, Greg Johnson wrote a post on the Double-A Zone reflecting on the impact of the Tim Donaghy scandal. In the post, Johnson recounted his experience visiting the National Association of Sports Officials Summit. "Meeting these men and women of NASO--who take it upon themselves to do what often is a thankless job--has been eye-opening," he wrote. "Not only do you see a human side of some of the top NFL, NBA and intercollegiate officials, the feeling of integrity is unmistakable." Maybe Bianchi should spend some time with the folks of NASO, but it's probably just easier (and more fun) to criticize the officials from the comfort of his column. 
CommentsI have seen two unsportsman like calls made against Washington and today Penn State in the end zone after a touchdown where the player was exuberant. the call was rediculous as the player was doing a "mild" reaction to his TD. Are you taking all the fun reaction out of the game for these youngsters? I agaree with calls where someone could get hurt, but they are going overboard now. I am 79 years old and have watched football all my life and a little happiness for these youngsters is allowable as far as I am concerned. The PAC 10 officiating is now borderline laughable. I just saw 3 Washington linemen hold down an OU player and punch/kick him and no penalty at all. This lasted for some time and the OU player had to be carted off of the field. Yet, for the rest of the game, OU was repeatedly held to a different standard, being call for 'ticky tack' fouls with a MAJOR discrepancy in penalty yardage the result. The PAC 10 is now a joke and the outcomes of their games in question. The OU-Oregon result from a few years ago brought this to light. These things should not happen. It is time for a centralized NCAA officials crew to be used for all inter-league games, akin to the NFL. Keep the integrity of the game! This is a chance for the NCAA to look ahead and make a statement. OMG! They have to FIRE the ref for the Wisconsin - Fresno State game. Everyone that watched the game KNOWS that the reversed call in the 3rd quarter was a fumble and they REVERSED it! How many people were on the take for that call. WAC officials really live up to their name, With 2 lazy eyes, missing a frontal lobe, no moral fiber and larceny in their heart ,they single handily kept Fresno State in the game. When the pivotal moment came ,the Replay Official was there to ease Coach Hill's fumble problem and even swallow and lick it off afterwards. No wonder no ranked teams will go out there and play. WAC Conference You should be ashamed!! Trust no Replay Official west of the Mississippi River !! just ask Oklahoma !!! WAC is college football's carnival sideshow conference!!!!!!!! The reason the Fresno Fumble Fixers took so much time on the replay is that the were establishing some cockeyed rationale for overturning an obvious (to everyone, including two network commentators in the booth and one a few feet away on the near sideline) catch, turn, tuck, step and fumble. If Bret Bielema is concerned that he's used-up his WAC complaint quota, Barry Alvarez should take this to the NCAA. The booth officials and the field "accomplice" should be suspended for AT LEAST three games (the season, had the Badgers lost) AND be banned from officiating WAC teams' non-conference games for AT LEAST three years. A signal MUST be sent to the officials of this MOST CORRUPT HOMER conference that this blatant "in your face" bias will NO LONGER BE TOLERATED! NO WONDER NOBODY WILL PLAY AT FRESNO STATE...that's why the Bulldogs have to play BCS teams "ANYWHERE (else)!!!" At the Florida State game this past weekend UTC made a 60yrd TD pass (Should have been a pick but good play). The WR was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for taking a knee. They weren't ACC refs but maybe he was giving God the business. How about a personal foul for taking too many TV timeouts? Everyone used to think NBA refs were above controversy too, and they were wrong. Bianchi's opinion it may be, but he also makes some valid points, with something to back them up. WAC officials at the Fresno State game against Wisconsin exhibited blatant conference favoritism. only if your name it john bible Has any official group ever actually dissected officials calls from a game? You'd think there would be a group that serves as a "watchdog" for possible discrepencies. If you are an official of a certain Conference, and that Conference makes more $$ if they have better bowls and more teams in bowls isn't it possible that high officials LEAN on them for certain favorable outcomes?? Post a Comment |
  
It means that two very good teams with very good coaches made it to the final game.
- Marie
   
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