REFEREES READY FOR OREGON CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Players Gonna Play, Play, Play. And Refs?

Show of hands for a good, clean, game? via actclassy.com

How much science goes into a football game?

One ref defined the space-time continuum during the Oregon vs Florida State semi-final.

“The previous play did not happen,” he said.

The previous play was the one after the beautiful Chip Kelly-esque option right lateral that nearly scored.

The one we’re supposed to forget was the ensuing touchdown.

Take that score down because the late flag ref wanted to review the airborne dive that nearly scored.

While we all agree getting the play right is most important, remember the team on the field.

Oregon ran a play every sixteen seconds. Mr. Ref needs to get up to speed. If they’re too old and too slow for the job, consult.

The Ducks scored on the same possession, but you can’t count on that every time. Besides, the win over Florida State in the Rose Bowl semi-final of the first NCAA D1 playoffs sent Oregon to the finals against Ohio State.

No complaints, but the game is scheduled for Cowboy Stadium, or ATT Stadium, or Jerry World in Arlington, Texas.

Let’s breath a sigh of relief that NFL refs won’t be officiating. If you saw the Lions vs Cowboys on Sunday, take two breaths.

Referees turned that game with a call that went the Cowboys’ way. Even the league office says they blew it.

Well they won’t blow any calls this Monday. If there’s any referee mojo left, Oregon ought to benefit. If there’s any mojo left for playing dirty teams in big games, Oregon ought to benefit.

What chance is there of the same refs who blew calls being tabbed to officiate the last college game of 2014? It could happen, after all the Ducks are playing the same team they played in an earlier big game.

The Ducks lost the 2010 Rose Bowl to an Ohio State team led by sophomore quarterback Terrelle Pryor. After an NCAA investigation linked Pryor and a few teammates to a money laundering drug dealer they were suspended, then reinstated for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 4, 2011.

What ref wouldn’t call Illegal Procedure on that?

From ncaa.com:

July 8, 2011
Ohio State responds to the NCAA’s allegations of violations by offering to vacate the 12-1 season in 2010 and go on two years of NCAA probation.

The suspension would take effect for the 2011 season, except Pryor bailed to the NFL and his coach resigned. The Ohio State learned a lesson during their 6-6 season in 2011. They played Florida in the 2012 Gator Bowl, then hired former Gator coach Urban Meyer.

Call that one Offsides.

Oregon showered off from that Rose Bowl and charged into the BCS title game in 2011. Auburn and a truck load of dirt waited.

There was Cam Newton, former Florida Gator under Urban Meyer, former junior college super star, one time Mississippi State recruit, and current Heisman Trophy winner.

Newton was under NCAA investigation for half the season, suspended toward the end, then reinstated three days before the SEC title game. That’s how he warmed up for the title shot with Oregon. We all know how that game turned out.

Where was the clipping flag?

From roopstigo.com:

Three (Auburn) players say that before the BCS Championship game the team was told that as many as nine of their teammates would not be able to play in the title game because they were academically ineligible. “We thought we would be without Mike Dyer because he said he was one of them, but Auburn found a way to make those dudes eligible,” says Mike Blanc, a teammate and roommate of Mike McNeil’s. Dyer’s name was cited by McNeil, too. Dyer did not respond to calls to his cell phone. Before the season, McNeil says he was given an F for attendance in a computer science class. “I had B work but I missed too many classes; and I went to the instructor and said, ‘I really need this grade,’” says McNeil. “He said that he was sorry but he wouldn’t change it. I went to the person over him. She was in a position of power and backed up the instructor. I then told my counselor with the athletic department.” Within days, McNeil says, the grade was changed from an F to a C and he did not miss a game.

All of the accusations and innuendo play no part in the first football playoff finals in NCAA. Also playing no part is the vaunted SEC. That’s a big win before things even get started.

With Marcus Mariota in the lead the Ducks have a clean shot at capturing their first national championship to go along with their first Heisman.

Even the big state of Texas won’t contain the joy of winning this game. A wave of relief from college football will roll out of Dallas and break in Eugene, Oregon with a win.

Who will be surfing the face of that wave? Riding that tube?

Hint: he’s from Hawaii.

(Versions of this post appear on oregonsportsnews.com and boomeon.com)