The SEC’s official position on lousy officiating in the Carolina-Florida game has been announced.
Yes, it is exactly what the fans might have expected.
As far as the SEC is concerned, the officiating was sound over all. Yet the conference takes no position on missed calls that cost the Gamecocks 2 touchdowns and ultimately the game.
The SEC’s head of officials Steve Shaw didn’t go into specifics about the officiating that had Gamecocks fans, coach Will Muschamp and AD Ray Tanner angry enough to spit nails.
Florida scored on a pass when the Carolina defender was clearly held as he raced down the field to tackle the Gator with the ball.
On a 2nd touchdown, Florida pulled off a blatant pick play on the Carolina defensive back. 
Pick plays are illegal and should have been called.
Even broadcast booth commentators questioned it as did an SEC analyst. 
Giving the game away
Both touchdowns should have been called back.
Those 12 points gave the game to Florida and possibly robbed the Gamecocks of another victory over a top 10 team and a bowl bid.
Yet Shaw said the game officials graded out “solidly.” 
“That game, and I’m going off memory here,” he said, “there were 188 plays officiated and we evaluate all 188. We give the school an accounting, especially on things they have questions on. We don’t go public on what we consider incorrect calls or correct calls. 
“We’re very specific with the coach and athletic director when they ask and we give them feedback.” 
This sounds like something out of a George Orwell novel – double speak.
It may sound good but it actually means nothing.
Why not review?
We appreciate the disadvantages officials are forced to deal with. They have to make calls on plays that last 6 seconds in real time without the advantage of slow motion replays. 
They also may not be in a position to see a violation, or their view may be blocked by players.
Football is a fast and fluid game. Officials aren’t born with 360 degree vision nor do they have eyes in the backs of their heads.
But with cameras on all sides of the field, a review of missed or controversial calls  should be reviewed.
Fans in the stadium – and the officials, too – can see missed violations such as those in the Florida game on the jumbotron replays.
Fans at home or in the local pubs can see it on TV.
Shouldn’t coaches be allowed to challenge a poor call or a missed one?
Shouldn’t officials have the opportunity to review controversial plays or calls and change their minds?
One of last season’s worst mistakes was an interference an official did not call. It cost the New Orleans Saints a Super Bowl shot.
Replays showed an official clearly could see the interference. Was he blind?
 

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