Georgia-Texas controversy: Is it more important to get a call right or follow procedure?

So what’s more important:

Referees getting a call correct?

… or …

Referees not deviating from the set procedure to overturn a call, especially if it might reward bad fan behavior and thus incentivize future bad fan behavior?

What we do know is that Georgia defeated Texas, 30-15, on Saturday in Austin, but the post-game debate went far beyond the College Football Playoff chances of each team (although there is an angle to that in here).

The situation starts with 3:12 remaining in the third quarter, Georgia leading 23-8 but momentum suddenly with the Longhorns.

That’s when Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron intercepted a pass from Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. Barron returned it 36 yards to the Bulldogs’ 9-yard line.

The refs, however, threw a flag on the play, citing Barron for pass interference before the interception. UT fans vehemently disagreed, especially when replays on the video board showed that any contact appeared to be initiated by Georgia receiver Arian Smith.

The Texas student section, in particular, began throwing trash and bottles onto the field, leading to an extensive delay, while Texas coaches and officials pleaded for calm and then cleaned up the mess.

It was during this time period — caused by out-of-control fans — that referees huddled and, perhaps influenced by replays shown on the video board or the pleas from Texas coaches that the call was wrong, decided to pick up the flag.

It would be Texas ball after all. Two plays later the Longhorns scored to cut the lead to 23-15.

Now it was Georgia coaches and university officials who were seething, arguing that a bunch of bottle-throwing fans shouldn’t be able to cause the delay that led to the conversation that led to the reversal.

“What I cannot accept is the manner in which this specific call was reversed,” Georgia athletic director Josh…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/georgia-texas-controversy-is-it-more-important-to-get-a-call-right-or-follow-procedure-175901211.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-10-21 17:59:01

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