PAC -10 Suspends Officials For Calls in Oklahoma Game

[kstar]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

Isn't this the first year the replay system has been in place in the NCAA? It seems like this can serve as a good "teaching moment" for preparing officials, TV crews, replay booth operators, etc., for subsequent seasons.

Sure, it's a shame for OU, but based on the links above, it sounds like the OU President is taking this a little too far. I understand that there's a lot at stake, I really do. But seriously, remove the game's outcome from teh record books? Come on. Suspend the officials for the remainder of the season? Now you're just going too far.

There has to be indisputable evidence to overturn the call on the field. The booth operator didn't have indisputable evidence since he didn't have access to all the camera angles (again, based only on what I've read). If he had overturned the call with the evidence he was given, then Oregon would be griping and the OU people would probably just be saying, "Get over it."

But, since I didn't see the game, my opinion probably doesn't count for much here. (Although, even those who did see the game evidently got to see more than the booth operator saw. So, perhaps those of us who didn't get to enjoy this game are a little more objective.)

I was at the game, in the Oregon section (the only scalper ticket I could afford) and the people next to us turned to me and said, "You got robbed."

It is not going too far to ask for a suspension for the season. Calling football is their JOB, if I screwed up that much at my job, I'd totally understand being fired. I'd be thanking my lucky A$$ that I'd only got suspended.

Also, there is a lot at stake. Money, bowl games, et cetera... I think Boren is right on track asking for the game to be sticken from the books. Football is religion down here.

[shinerbock]

Yeah, but why should Oklahoma get treatment other schools didn't get?

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Yeah, but why should Oklahoma get treatment other schools didn't get?

Yeah, obviously there is nothing that can be done to the records.

However, I did hear that there is a possibility of having the poll voters and sports writers "disregard" this loss from their voting process......which could significantly change the outcome of OU's season, barring of course that they don't lose anymore.....which I think they will.....

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by kstar

Calling football is their JOB, if I screwed up that much at my job, I'd totally understand being fired. I'd be thanking my lucky A$$ that I'd only got suspended.

Actually, it might be considered a part time job. Officials have real jobs, and their own lives as well.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

Actually, it might be considered a part time job. Officials have real jobs, and their own lives as well.

They get paid for the services they provide.

I agree with her completely.

The 'different standards' argument doesn't really make sense. I can't independently recall another account of the review system going so bad. It is without question OU would have won had they recovered the onside kick as they should have. If they could have successfully taken 3 knees, game over.

I can't think of another blown call subjected to review, and still blown with the same unquestionable ramifications.

I don't think that's asking for a 'different standard,' I think it's asking that Oklahoma not be subjected to unfair penalties (a loss on their record) for someone else's mistake or malfeasance.

[macallan25]

Its funny.....alot of people don't realize that OU recovered the onsides kick anyways. Nevermind the fact that the guy touched it before 10 yards.....OU recovered it, stood around the ball while the camera was focused on the pileup....and then HANDED the ball to the ref.

[Kevin]

Last year, the PAC-10 officials overturned two turnovers which would have probably changed the outcome (the score at the very least) of the UCLA game. Stoops has asked Castiglione (the AD) to cancel the Washington game if the PAC-10 doesn't change its rules to match the rest of the conferences regarding bringing your own officials to away games.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by Kevin

They get paid for the services they provide.

I agree with her completely.

I agree as well with this exception. (And maybe it's just the way I read her post)

While they are paid, and should do the job right, this is not the way they make a living. This is done in addition to their main jobs.

A lot is expected in terms of study and proficiency for a very part time job, done only several weekends a year.

I don't believe that there was anything sinister in this case -- just a real bad call under less than ideal circumstances.

The truth is, that given the very few opportunities to perform these tasks, I'm pretty impressed that there aren't a lot more really bad situations. "To err is human"...etc.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

I don't believe that there was anything sinister in this case -- just a real bad call under less than ideal circumstances... "To err is human"...etc.

I agree. This is why I feel like the OU President has gone too far in his requests. If the call was made intentionally to blow the game, then I think a case could be made for "firing" the officials involved. But since the mistake was indeed a mistake, I personally believe the officials' punishment is fair. And as for the request for the game results to be removed from the records, that's just asking for a domino effect with potentially worse repurcussions for OU (and every other D1 team) than keeping the stat on record.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... it really is a shame that the call influenced the outcome of the game, and I know there's a LOT at stake for OU. But, game outcomes can't just be ignored, regardless of how bad the officiating might have been. And for Boren to ask that the officials be suspended for the year, that just sounds like someone who is trying to flaunt his power and position. That might not be what he's doing, but it seems like it. Surely he's made a mistake somewhere during his professional career that affected someone else. Situations like this call for understanding.

[kstar]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

But, game outcomes can't just be ignored, regardless of how bad the officiating might have been.

It's one thing to lose to a better team, it is quite another to have the game stolen out from under you by officials.

[shinerbock]

Happens every year. Sometimes you benefit, other times you don't.