Officiating.

[The Ancient Enemy]

We have seen very poor officiating in the Pac-10 over the years, and generally throughout all of college football. Today, Pitt was flagged with a pass interference. The ref did not initially call it. The Syracuse bench, right behind the ref, started yelling for the flag, as did the fans. Then the ref decided to throw the flag.

Okay, its not a judgment call. The guy either hit him or he didnt. If you dont throw the flag, that means you dont think it was pass interference. You dont get to think about it for 3 seconds while you decide whether or not to give Syracuse a first down.

There's idiots who argue "every call is essentially a judgment call". Guess what. Not true at all. If a kid is holding, you call holding. There is no decision!

That call was a huge part in Syracuse getting the FG before the half, going up 4 points instead of 1. Yes, it was pass interference. It football as in basketball, hockey, soccer, and other sports of the same, every yard directly affects every yard after it until the game is completed. But the point is, you dont get to sit there and say, "Eh, should I call this? He grabbed him, but is it worth it?"

Referees are on the field to referee, not to decide outcomes. The rule book is not optional.