**** the Big 12

[imgreat95]

These Big 12 officials suck..

How is it, anyhow, that the Big 12 officials are working a game at a Big East school?

[GiveHyzduashot]

I wouldn't blame the officials. I'd blame the kicker for missing the third extra point. Even if it was a cheap call, there's no excuse for missing an extra point. I didn't see that particular call, so I don't know how long the XP was. But still, it was dead on from a fairly short distance. If Gibboney makes the XP, it's a 14-7 game, and the XP following the TD is a gimme.

I heard it might have been a bad call (I assume that's mostly what you're mad about), but Gibboney still needs to nail the extra point.

[imgreat95]

well no, josh.. it wasn't quite as simpole as a bad call. They called THREE illegal formation calls in a row. the announcers had no clue what they were even doing wrong. That put it at a 35 yard extra point attempt. Not only that, but when the kick WAS finally attempted "legally" the clock had expired. Therefore, the kick shouldn't have even happened. If the officials don't make that bukkshit call, then they are only down by one and kicking the XP to tie.

It was total bullshit. I don;t mind losing this game. I just hate losing it because the officials blew a call.

[Trots]

It's not just the Big XII, Shawn. I believe a similar incident happened in the Michigan/Washington contest. A call went UM's way from Big Ten referees. Even if it's the right call, it just gives the impression of conflict of interest.

These games involving schools from different conferences should ALWAYS have officials from a third conference. The NCAA apparently changed the rule that required that a couple of years ago. As usual, it's the NCAA that stinks.

[GiveHyzduashot]

It sounds like it was worse than I thought.

Still, though, I don't think one call, or sequence of calls, determines whether a team wins or loses. Most of the time, losing a game isn't the result of the umpiring crew. There's still lots of football to be played.

Pitt blew a 2 point conversion. So they did have a chance to makeup for a series of bad calls. I think your point would be valid if this was the PAT after the second TD.

Basically, if there's only three bad calls against you in a given game, I think that's pretty good. Granted, these were a lot more significant than other bad calls, but still, Pitt had their chance to make up for the missed PAT. And besides, who knows if Pitt loses because of this call. Maybe Texas A&M wins in OT. It's too inaccurate to say a team lost because of three calls when (A) Pitt had a chance to tie the game and (B) the game goes into OT, then it's anyone's game. The officials may have blown a chance for Pitt to tie the game, but their calls aren't why Pitt lost.

[imgreat95]

I never said that the calls were the reason why they lost the game. But, the fact remains, regardless, that if the right call is made, all it takes on the 2nd TD is to make the PAT to at least give yourself a chance to win. Pitt should not have had to go for two on the 2nd TD in order to tie the game. That is just a simple fact.

I, personally, blame the loss on the lack of a running game of any kind. Ever since Kevan Barlow left, the Panthers have been looking for a "feature" back. Only problem is that most of the backs on the roster are only now sophomores. IF, and it is a big if, they are able to get a running game going, then this team could be fairly good.

[awefullspellare]

THE only game i an think of where a team really had all chance of a win taken away by a call was the Nebraska K-STate game a efw years back where ERic Crouch got his head ripped off and tehy did nto call a facemask!HIS HEAD GETING TORN FROM HIS BODY! (http://www.geocities.com/colosseum/stands/2661/home.htm)

[GiveHyzduashot]

Fair enough, Shawn. I just thought when you said you hated losing the game because the officials blew a call implied the officials were the biggest reason Pitt lost the game.

If Pitt doesn't get a running game going, they'll be lucky for 5 wins.

[RockieBill]

...maybe there's something to be said for knowing the rules...

Big East coordinator of officials John Soffey said the call was a correct one and may have been the result of the Big 12 crew being alert and knowing the rule.

http://espn.go.com/ncf/news/2002/0910/1430132.html

[BPBlueSox]

The wrong number. hahahaha :D