Filed under: Baylor, Florida, Florida State, LSU, University of Miami, Stanford, Texas Tech, USC, Officiating
Once again, LSU is center stage when it comes to controversy. It almost seems like part of Les Miles' place in college football lore is being cemented based upon thriving through controversial calls. Last weekend, it was on a fake field goal that it seems only the "Mad Hatter" would have the cajones (or lack of brainpower, depending upon whom you ask) to run. Let's dive in.
First, click here to watch the YouTube and pay attention to the fake field goal at the 43-second mark.
Now, we need to decide if this was a forward pass or backward pass. From the rulebook (emphasis is mine): "a forward pass is determined by the point where the ball first strikes the ground ... all other passes are backward passes. When in question, it is a forward pass rather than a backward pass when thrown in or behind the neutral zone."
And, again, in clause (c) of the rule: "When in question, the ball is passed and not fumbled during an attempted forward pass."
This was really, really close to me. In fact, it appeared the pass was directly horizontal from the holder, meaning -- at least in my interpretation of the rule -- that it's "in question," and therefore should have been an incomplete pass. If that was the call, LSU would not have been allowed to advance the ball and would have lost possession, and likely the game.
But it's so close I'm not going to blame the officials on the field for calling the pass backward.
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