I've been reading about the Toledo-State game and how upset so many people were that the game was being unfairly called in favor of the Bucknuts and that it could have been a Toledo win if the officiating was different. (I didn’t see it so I have no opinion).  Must be tough to make calls fairly when 100,00 fans want and expect things to go their way. As if State and the other power schools don’t already have the advantage with recruits, facilities, blah blah blah.

 

I don’t believe a conspiracy exists but it seems at some level within the NCAA structure, whether it’s the top brass or officials at various levels within the organization, the major teams and conferences have the advantage and get their way. We all have our examples of the unfairness that seems pervasive at times. Here’s a recent one from a minor sport that really stands out and should sicken all Bobcat fans:

Although I don’t follow field hockey, I will on occasion check in to see how the ‘Cats are doing, as I do with all our sports teams. Well, as some of you know, OHIO beat osu a few weeks ago in Columbus. State was a final four team last year and ranked 6th this year. Then OHIO won a couple more games and was 5-0.  I was curious how high OHIO was ranked and if OSU was still ranked since they were 1-3. And if somehow they managed to still be ranked, how much higher was OHIO ranked. Guess what?  Osu was still ranked higher than OHIO- State 21st, OHIO 27th.  Figure that one out!

Just one small example of the unfairness that permeates the college sports scene culture.

p.s. Since then, OHIO beat no. 8 American and now is 6-0 while OSwho has lost a few more. Wonder if this week’s rankings will finally make sense.

I was there too, and I would agree with this. Toledo had some very dumb penalties that probably cost them the game. The penalty differential was stark enough though that I did mention to a friend during the game that I didn't think the refs would let osu lose.

Also, since we're discussing Toledo's performance, their defense impressed me more than their offense. The O was pretty simple: use wideouts to clear the zone, throw a pass underneath, and make a play. osu's poor tackling was as responsible for Toledo's yardage advantage as anything.

Looking way ahead (and knocking on all the wood in my office so as to not jinx us), IF we ultimately were to face them in the MACC, I don't hate our chances.

There is no doubt in my mind that Little 12 officiating is the single most powerful reason we haven't seen O$U lose an in-state game in close to a century.  I corresponded with our AD once about why we never see neutral conference officiating staffs in these games.  He confirmed its standard contract verbiage when the visitor is a "lower tier" opponent.   This is rarely the case with cross conference games between "major" conference teams.  Reference the O$U - Miami game last year...It was officiated by an ACC staff, leading me to believe that this weekend's game will more than likely be handled by a Little 12 staff.  This is a battle MAC type teams will never win because they can go down the street and find another program willing to cash the check and not insist upon a neutral officiating staff.

I'm not saying that Toledo's punt at the end of the first half should have been aimed anywhere other than the stands (The visiting coaching staff has GOT to understand the turning points and going into the half with the lead would have turned that entire crowd on their own team)...But the frequency with which critical big plays are called back on OOC teams in that stadium as compared to the continual no calls we see (reference their punt returns against Ohio '08 and Toledo '11) leave little doubt as to the partisan nature of officiating in these games.

To me, that's the problem, that judgements are being made not by the actual performance of the teams during the games, but by someone's perception of what should have (might have? could have?) been.

The same refs work the MAC and Big ten.

The Browns were called for many more penalties than the Bengals yesterday. I think the NFL Commissioner must have told those officials to make sure the Bengals win.

I only referenced that period of time because that's what local media likes to hype.  It's not about the length of time but more about the very thing you just mentioned.  They've only found themselves in tight situations a handful of times (due mostly to the depth that major conference rosters enjoy) and in at least two of those situations there were clear bogus no calls involved in critical game turning plays.  I've never said that OUr muffed punt in '08 wasn't a contributing factor, but when you could see two illegal blocks on their punt return from my seats (about 20 feet from the sun) you can't tell me the zebra's didn't see them too.

Not to mention the multiple no call pass interferences in the end zone during their "victory" over Cincinnati the year they won the National Clarettionship.

Wonder if any got free tattoos.