PAC -10 Suspends Officials For Calls in Oklahoma Game

[macallan25]

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.)

From what I saw on TV...there wasn't a single Orgon fan that was interviewed that didn't think the call was completely blown.

The fact that the official reviewer for the plays in the game didn't have access to all of the camera angles is horrible, inexcusable, unacceptable, etc. etc.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by macallan25

The fact that the official reviewer for the plays in the game didn't have access to all of the camera angles is horrible, inexcusable, unacceptable, etc. etc.

I would agree with this. But, that's part of what happens when something new is implemented. You see what works, what doesn't, what needs tweaking, etc. I bet there won't be a similar problem next season (or maybe even next weekend - you never know how quickly positive changes can be made). Like I said, it's a shame, but there's nothing that can be done about it (other than improving the system). OU just needs to pick up, move on and focus on the next game or they'll be looking at a 2 (or more) loss season instead of just one.

[shinerbock]

Well and the SEC has come out and said that the ball in the Auburn game was uncatchable, which it was. Even LSU friends of mine aren't that upset about it, they don't like it, but they're not blaming the loss on it.

As for the Oklahoma call, its ridiculous, but I think theres no way the NCAA should throw out the game. This is obviously not the first time a game has turned on a bad call, and I've never heard of the NCAA doing it before. I'm sorry, but my sympathy for Oklahoma is gone after 2004.

[macallan25]

^Yeah I agree totally. 2004 was a joke as well.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Why would he not get access to the ABC feed or control over camera angles. That is the most insanely idiotic thing I have ever heard. One look at atleast 3 of the ABC camera angles would have made the call more than easy.

He doesn't get the ABC feed b/c that would allow the ABC commentators, producers and etc. undue influence in the outcome of the game (through speaking, or even by choosing which angles to replay).

Because of the replay rules, every D1 game is now filmed (even ones w/out any sort of TV coverage - HI BIG XII SYSTEM!) by multiple camera angles, and the replay official has access to those angles, as well as the ability to play back, slow down, etc (these may or may not be also used in the telecast - as far as I know, some are, some are not). Note that slowing down is a new ability - in the past, they were forced to watch it in 'real time' - but even with these options the replay official is limited in the amount of time allotted. This amount of time is determined by the Head Judge on the field, IIRC. Here, the ABC crew was reportedly putting some pressure on, as well - they have advertisers, etc to keep happy, integrity of the game be damned.

This means technical difficulties can and will happen, and will directly affect how the replay official can do his job because of the time limit - it's just crappy that here, they happened after an already attrocious call. The guy in the booth needs evidence to overturn even the worst call - he didn't get it, so he did what he was supposed to do.

[DeltAlum]

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.

I believe it was done in the Mountain West Conference last year which became the pilot for the college game.

In terms of President Boren, I agree he's gone a little too far. I've met him and he's a pretty impressive guy, and generally a seemingly fair one -- former US Senator, etc. Again, this could mean a LOT of money one way or the other, assuming the Sooners have a strong year, but a season long suspension? That's harsh.

Finally, to the best of my knowledge, there is no precedent and no way to reverse or eliminate a win or loss in the NCAA. Maybe there should be, but as it stands, the game is over and that, as they say, is that.

ETA, in the NFL, the replay officials did not monitor the network audio -- only the pictures. If the colleges use their own camera angles exclusively, that's too bad because the normal telecast (especially network) will offer more angles from better equipment with longer lenses operated by professional camerapersons. All of that is too expensive for an athletic department to duplicate. If a producer or director chose to be selective and show only replays that favor one team or the other, they would be fired. The network couldn't afford to do that. As I said above, we offered every replay available in every challenge situation...period. I'd worry more about camera angles and shots made by a university employee who might have a bigger "home" stake in the game.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

I believe it was done in the Mountain West Conference last year which became the pilot for the college game.

The Big 10 used replay 2 seasons ago, as did a few others; last year was a wide-ranging group of replay systems implemented on a conference-by-conference basis. This was so flaky, they implemented a universal one this season.

[valkyrie]

While we're at it, I'm still pissed off about this travesty of officiating. Offsides my cats' asses -- all of them.

[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 KSig RC

He doesn't get the ABC feed b/c that would allow the ABC commentators, producers and etc. undue influence in the outcome of the game (through speaking, or even by choosing which angles to replay).

Because of the replay rules, every D1 game is now filmed (even ones w/out any sort of TV coverage - HI BIG XII SYSTEM!) by multiple camera angles, and the replay official has access to those angles, as well as the ability to play back, slow down, etc (these may or may not be also used in the telecast - as far as I know, some are, some are not). Note that slowing down is a new ability - in the past, they were forced to watch it in 'real time' - but even with these options the replay official is limited in the amount of time allotted. This amount of time is determined by the Head Judge on the field, IIRC. Here, the ABC crew was reportedly putting some pressure on, as well - they have advertisers, etc to keep happy, integrity of the game be damned.

This means technical difficulties can and will happen, and will directly affect how the replay official can do his job because of the time limit - it's just crappy that here, they happened after an already attrocious call. The guy in the booth needs evidence to overturn even the worst call - he didn't get it, so he did what he was supposed to do.

I don't know what you mean by no TV coverage in the Big XII, oh well.

So why couldn't they play the ABC feeds with no sound? Pretty sure you didn't need any to get that call right.

[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.