In those games each team uses their own footballs. That way they feel comfortable that no one has done anything to them.
The under inflated ball is easier to grip in the rain...and in general. If one team can throw and catch the passes easier, it does provide an unfair advantage.
A friend of mine who works in DII college athletics got a group of balls, inflated them and then deflated them really couldn’t tell the difference. I told him that’s why he is in D2 college athletics and not the NFL.
One thing that I’ve seen mentioned is the underinflated ball is also easier to grip in the running game. I also heard Blount has a history of fumbling. (I don’t know that to be true,
The one thing that hasn’t come out (that I have seen) is whether or not the balls were underinflated again after the game. If someone on the sidelines is deflating the balls, there will be consequences.
“I told him that’s why he is in D2 college athletics and not the NFL.”
LOL, that sounds like something my dad would say! And my dad was something like the team manager of his college baseball team.
For someone with average hand strength, I read that 10.5 PSI vs. 13.5 PSI is not discernible. Still feels hard as a rock. But a pro player who lives and dies by hand strength can feel a difference. The refs don't squeeze their fingers in the ball as if holding on for dear life. They carry it it casually.