Before the debate I predicted Crowley would advocate for Obama. She did. It's really not a surprise at all.
There need no have been "collusion" as you claim for the events to have transpired as they did. Of course he'd say "get the transcript" because it makes it sounds like he's absolutely certain of his remarked. He was bluffing and Crowley was fooled because she wanted to be fooled; she was on his side.
An odder moment came with Obama walking towards a questioner before the questioner was identified other than by name. He hadn't stood up for his question yet.
The question was about Libya and supposedly born of a workplace "brain trust" discussion. It certainly appeared Obama may have known the questioner on sight and went to him.