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The Ref Crutch: A Study in the Blame Game

S

skrayper77

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Sep 4, 2003
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I was visiting the Mississippi State forums (I thought, no big deal, I went to school there and so did my father), and couldn't help but notice the exact same drivel I expect form most of our opponents:

"He wasn't out of bounds on the KO return, the refs screwed us"
"He trapped that INT, the refs screwed us"

Once again, we have fans so desparate to believe that their team was the better team, and that they could win the game if only the refs didn't stand in their way.

Nevermind the fact that their own opinion on the play is clouded by bias... for to me, the pick certainly looked legit (the weaker case) and watching the game on our hi-def TV, the foot certainly stepped on the line. Now, if the team was so good, having that good of field position would certainly have led to a TD, but that didn't happen.

Both teams' (LSU and MSU) fans need to believe that, despite being out gained by over 200 yards each. They need to feel that they were the better team.

MSU was certain that they were going to finally get over the hump and beat a top 10 team. Crashing back down was not what they wanted, so what happens? "Its the refs fault"

Enter LSU, who held on close to Florida, and was certain they were better than Alabama... and just had to beat Saban. They "knew" they were the better team... "Its the refs fault"

I tell you, if nothing else, it has certainly brought me over to feel a bit of solidarity with our Florida Gator fans down the way.
 
I agree with your premise and offer a few other observations: (1) There was at least 2 blocks in the back on the "out of bounds" kick return that were not called - so who got screwed? (2) I saw no fewer than 4 "overlooked" facemask/horse collar calls on MSU. Impossible for the refs to get every call; if they did there would not be many plays with flags.
 
i have always said, don't put yourself in a position that the ref's can make game changing decisions for you. in other words.....score more points or just take your butt whipping like a man.
 
tidefan39817 said:
i have always said, don't put yourself in a position that the ref's can make game changing decisions for you.
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^^^^ Yep. IF MSU had done anything offensively, there was no opportunity for the refs to "screw" them. Both calls were right; i mean the official was right there when Bumphis stepped on the line. The refs played no part in teh butt whipping that took place and it irks me when ppl don't concede that the better team won and they got outplayed. Against UF last year, we played well, but they had a spectacular 4th quarter; and Utah was hungry and jumped on us early. Take your lumps MSU, your Dogs just got outplayed.
 
Fair Catch via Wiki Def's : "In American football, a member of the team receiving a punt or kick, may signal for a "fair catch". To signal fair catch the receiver must raise one arm fully above his head and wave it side to side, while the ball is in flight. After the signal is made, no opponent may interfere with the fair catcher, the ball or his path to the ball and the receiver may not attempt to advance the ball. If the receiver fails to give a proper signal (arm not fully extended) the receiving team is penalized five yards for an invalid fair catch signal, marked from spot of the signal.

He hand stayed at about the chest level. Bad call, and I thought Arenas was gonna take that one to the house.

But at least it shows there is no conspiracy taking place.
 
I keep getting reminded of the story of one of our Texas games. Off hand I don't remember which one (Cotton Bowl?) where Namath did the QB sneak into the endzone. He was laying on the back of one of his linemen with half of his body in the endzone. The refs said he was stopped short. Physical evidence and accounts from NAmath and his linemen suggest otherwise. With instant replay we win that game but it didn't exist then. CPB was his usual irate self after the painful loss. Namath pleaded his case to him nd Bryant said, (paraphrasing) "If you went in standing up then there wouldn't have been any doubt". In short, as others here have said, play well enough to where mistakes by the officials don't matter. It is easy to blame the refs...it's hard to accept that your team just didn't get it done. A team has 60 minutes to win a game. One play may make a difference but if you play for the 60 minutes lights out then you stand a better chance to not have to execute that one play to win or change the momentum.
Quit whining....just get better, play better...beat your opponent and remove all doubt. MSU and LSU just got beat...well enough that those one or two plays won't win it for them.
 
It's amazing to me that every team we've played this year was "better" than Alabama, they lost because their team either got screwed by the refs or didn't play "their game" that day. But make no mistake about it. They are "better" than Alabama. :wink:
 
Fine. The refs screwed MSU on the kick-return. On behalf of Alabama fans everywhere, I present MSU with one TD.

The final score is now 31-10.

ALABAMA STILL WINS.
 
CapstoneTider said:
Fair Catch via Wiki Def's : "In American football, a member of the team receiving a punt or kick, may signal for a "fair catch". To signal fair catch the receiver must raise one arm fully above his head and wave it side to side, while the ball is in flight. After the signal is made, no opponent may interfere with the fair catcher, the ball or his path to the ball and the receiver may not attempt to advance the ball. If the receiver fails to give a proper signal (arm not fully extended) the receiving team is penalized five yards for an invalid fair catch signal, marked from spot of the signal.

He hand stayed at about the chest level. Bad call, and I thought Arenas was gonna take that one to the house.

But at least it shows there is no conspiracy taking place.
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On the radio broadcast last night, Eli first said it was the wrong call. Later he said he had checked with the replay official and that the rule has changed and any waving of the arm, not just above the shoulder, is now a fair catch signal. He apologized for broadcasting the wrong information.
 
Bamadonk said:
On the radio broadcast last night, Eli first said it was the wrong call. Later he said he had checked with the replay official and that the rule has changed and any waving of the arm, not just above the shoulder, is now a fair catch signal. He apologized for broadcasting the wrong information.
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Interesting. Seems to me in an earlier game we had a similar wave-teammates-away motion that was ruled a fair catch signal. No more waving away teammates I suppose...
 
Unbelievable that some of my friends who are ND fans are blaming the refs for that loss. That was a clear fumble. They need to man up and take the loss.
 
I was in the pep band, and someone counted the MSU players on a kick off... said they counted 12 and that one was running off the field when the ball was kicked.

Is this true? There was no penalty called.
 
avatar15241_1.gif


Its a dang conspiracy.
 
I was at the game as well, Section W Row 2 (basically opposite from Alabama band)...

A guy sitting in front of me had Eli on the Alabama radio ear piece, and he said Eli had counted 12 on the field for that MSU play.


When Ingram scored on the short TD run and his helmet came off, it looked like he got punched in the head or something by an MSU player. It all happened so fast, but that's what it looked like. I'm guessing it didn't happen since I don't see any outrage posts about it.

I'm watchin the replay of the game, and the head ref was looking at a deliberate trip on Ingram by a MSU player.

I felt like the refs let MSU do what they want in this game. I can't complain much because it didn't really have any effect on the game, but the refereeing could've been a lot better last night.
 
CaliforniaTide said:
I'm watchin the replay of the game, and the head ref was looking at a deliberate trip on Ingram by a MSU player.
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I think it was deliberate as well. But I just don't think there was any way that the ref could determine whether it was intentional or not because it happened so fast. It was a great change of direction by Ingram anyway.
 
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