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10/3/00 Thoughts on Football Officiating There has been a lot of discussion on whether or not college football needs instant reply or not. Michigan has been the victim/recipient of some questionable calls over the last three football games and I think it's time for me share my opinion on the matter. I watch a lot of football. Over the last 10 years I estimate that I've seen over 175 football games live in person. I can't even begin to guess how many games I've seen on television and video tape. The conclusion that I've come to is that officials make the correct call 99% of the time. The other 1% are made up of plays that could be called either way. Over the course of a season the questionable calls usually even out. While Michigan got the benefit of some close calls against Illinois, the Wolverines got some bad calls the week before at UCLA. It's easy to criticize the officials while you're sitting at home watching on television with the benefit of multiple replays. But officials need to make the calls in real time on the field while avoiding 275 pound men who are trying to pound each other. Some say that instant replays are the answer. The NFL has instant replay and besides being expensive ($7 Million to implement) it has done little to stop the controversy. Did you happen to see the Music City Miracle last year? Replay sure cleared that one up...The only time an official should be criticized is if they fail to put themselves in position to make the proper call. I have seen plays in person that I *knew* were bad calls but after seeing the tape I had to grudgingly agree with. My eyes had fooled me.. In the end football is a game played, watched, and officiated by people. People make mistakes. Get over it.... Go Blue! |
