Posted on 10/22/2023 8:46:03 PM PDT by lasereye
The Tennessee Vols played about as badly as they ever have under Josh Heupel in the second half against Alabama on Saturday.
And the coaching/playcalling decisions were probably the worst we've seen from Heupel since he arrived at UT in early 2021.
But that shouldn't be the narrative after Tennessee's 34-20 loss in Tuscaloosa.
The officiating on Saturday wasn't just bad, it was almost blatantly obvious that the officials were doing everything they could to make sure Alabama didn't lose.
And look, I'm sure Bama fans are already rolling their eyes and yelling "excuses" to the top of their lungs.
But I'm not accepting that. Not after that debacle.
You can't win in Tuscaloosa when the officials are that one-sided.
I mean, it's bad when even Dan Wolken, who never hesitates to take a shot at Tennessee, is pointing out the terrible officiating.
The terrible officiating started early. In the first quarter, the Vols had to settle for a field goal after a blatant hold on tight end McCallan Castles was missed (the hold happened before Joe Milton's passed was tipped). Tennessee should've had a first down there. Instead, it was fourth down and they kicked a field goal.
On Alabama's first series in the second half, an obvious hold on Vols defensive lineman Tyler Baron wasn't called on the Crimson Tide's 46 yard touchdown. The penalty should've negated the touchdown. It was a game-changing no call.
If you're wondering if the official's whistles worked, they did. They had no problem calling a ticky-tack hold on Vols tight end Jacob Warren in the second half that set the Vols' offense back. And they quickly blew the whistle for a barely noticeable hold on Tennessee cornerback Gabe Jeudy-Lally when the Vols had stopped Alabama on third down.
Even on one of the Vols' final efforts in the fourth quarter, Bama defensive back Malachi Moore was draped all over Squirrel White. Crickets from the officials.
There were plenty of other blatantly awful calls that I'm sure you'll see floating around on social media.
The only penalty called on Alabama was a five yard penalty for an illegal snap that actually saved the Crimson Tide from a potential turnover/negative play.
By the way, if Bama fans want to mention the play where Elijah Herring tried to punch the ball out but missed, maybe they should look at the clip of Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton donkey kicking Vols defensive back Doneiko Slaughter right in front of an official.
Tennessee could've played better. The offense was atrocious in the second half. The playcalling was unimaginative. But even then, the Vols still had a chance in the second half to win the game. And if the officials call the game even close to fairly, Tennessee has a great chance to win.
Nick Saban and Alabama stole that win. The officials made sure they didn't lose. That should be the narrative. And the NCAA should open a full investigation into this game. It's all there on film, you can see for yourself. It's beyond time for SEC officiating to be held accountable.
Good Point. I’ve been watching and being at these games for over 40 years.
I was that young kid in 1978 selling those Coca-Colas with a 22 pound rack at Neyland.
College Football is a designed sport. Tennessee never had a chance in Tuscaloosa this year.
It is what it is.
It is payback for a bowl game.
You know what I mean.
I pretty much stopped watching Football ( College or Pro ) simply because it's become too much like WWE Wrestling.
I WILL, however, still watch WWE because "it is a SHOW with a PRE-DETERMINED script".. the difference of course is THEY KNOW I KNOW.. and I KNOW they KNOW I KNOW!
You're CORRECT! "Money Changes EVERYTHING!"
Well,
THEY KNOW I KNOW.. and I KNOW they KNOW, I KNOW and now WE KNOW YOU KNOW!
Either get your head out of your ARSE or check yourself for bowel cancer.
I think it was your "handle" that gave you away.
You are wrong about that.
Alabama and Tennessee used to hold it but Georgia and Florida get the same serving.
Tennessee is going to be allowed a bowl game, that is it.
Professional wrestling is terrible. I don’t like soap operas, so I don’t like it.
If God really existed, would such things happen?
Easy there , bless your heart.
( Yes, there is nothing wrong being a football fan in the South. In fact, there’s nothing better than being a football fan in the South, on Saturdays)
Wonder why Georgia plays Florida in Jacksonville?
Booze!
Houston got hosed on a bad spot late against Texas that cost them a chance to tie the game.
I think there's a song there.
Ok, I don’t watch any games, but have family that do. I watched highlights and noticed on the play where the ball bounced off the Tide receiver’s shoulder and was intercepted in the end zone, that the receiver jumped up to catch it, right arm up, but couldn’t bring his left arm up,
...because the TN defender had used his right arm to trap the receiver’s left arm against his chest.
And having friends that are Hawkeye fans, I watched Iowa highlights and saw a well trained punt returner use arm/hand movements that were borderline fair catch signals (but not quite). It was enough to cause several Minnesota players to slow to half speed for a second, before they realized the guy was going to run with the ball.
He scored, but the ref apparently decided he was a bit deceptive with his arm movements (intentional or not), and called it an invalid fair catch.
Iowa still had the ball at midfield with 1:20 to play. But their offense is pathetic I’m told. I looked at their game stats and saw: 28 carries for 11 yards net running the ball. Wow!
The only thing more intense is high school football in Texas
I will say Gods team fans are pretty devoted
And the media slather over the golden headgears
Always have
Hell I like it too but I’m not rabid
I often pull for both teams whoever is trying harder even though I’m Rebels class 81
I’m not a Rocky Topper even though I live here for 27 years now and my rib is native Murfreesboro gal
She is rabid
But LSU cause we’re part Louisiana and she’s RTR cause she lives her Nick
I was rabid cowboys as a kid cause my dad was pals with Dandy
Judging by your handle, I take your comment with a ton of salt.
M’am
Yes
>22 pound rack
Post bobs & vagene
You're right! 40 years ago Cyndi Lauper scored a HIT with it in October of 1983. Quite an interesting story to it though.
Songfacts -
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