Why the Ref Call in Oklahoma State vs Central Michigan Game Cannot Be Overturned

Even though it has been established that the referees made a critical error during the Oklahoma State vs Central Michigan game, the score unfortunately cannot be reversed. There are a couple of main reasons for this:

Irreversible Play Decisions in Football

Since the ball has been snapped and the play has already occurred, it cannot be taken back. This is one of the biggest rules in football: once the ball is snapped, the play is set in stone. Any potential review, challenge, or alteration of the previous play is not allowed.

Precedent and Legal Implications

Overturning the score could open a whole new can of worms. If one score is reversed after the game, other teams might use it as a precedent for challenging calls or scores after the game has been completed. This would create a significant logistical and legal issue.

The Human Element of Referees

It is important to note that referees are human, and despite the high stakes, even professionals make mistakes. College football is a multi-billion dollar business, and while there is no excuse for making terrible calls, perhaps it is time for the NCAA to reevaluate and improve its officiating standards.

Public and Professional Reactions

Many are questioning the decision and suggesting that the score should have been reversed, as Oklahoma State has dropped out of the top 25, which is not fair. While they are human, referees are held to a high standard, and their mistakes can have significant consequences on team rankings and outcomes.

Rule Clarification: The Crystal Clear Rule Book

The rule book is unequivocal: once the ball is snapped on the following play, the previous play is set in stone. This applies to any potential game-ending errors, such as improper down markers, overlooked pass interference, and other officiating mistakes. The old coaching adage, “Win the game and don’t leave it in the hands of the officials,” underscores the importance of teams focusing on their performance rather than relying on accurate officiating.

Historical Examples of Ref Call Gaffes

One of the most notable in-game gaffes occurred in 1990 during the Colorado-Missouri game, known as the Fifth Down game. On their final drive, Colorado received a fifth down due to an official not changing the down marker. Missouri should have gotten the ball to end the game, but Colorado’s fifth down allowed them to score and win the game. If Colorado had lost, they likely would not have won the national title.

The Impact on Oklahoma State

While Oklahoma State faces the unfortunate outcome of not reversing the score, there is some consolation:

The game was a non-conference game, so it doesn’t affect the conference title race. They will start at 0-0 in conference, just like everybody else. The playoff and Big Six bowls are decided by a committee. Since they don’t know exactly what happened, if Oklahoma State plays well enough to be in the playoff conversation, the team can be treated as though they won the game. If they end up outside the Big Six bowl conversation, it is up to the bowl game committees. Generally, bowl game at-large selections are made based on more than just overall record, and conference record, recent performances, and how well the fanbase travels tend to carry more weight than non-con performance.

In conclusion, while the decision not to reverse the score is controversial, it is important to adhere to the rules of the game and the policies that govern officiating in college football. The impact of this decision on Oklahoma State has been mitigated in certain ways, but the broader ramifications of such errors continue to be a topic of discussion and potential reform.