Oh…Now this changes everything!!!
The Columbus Dispatch is reporting this morning that Big Ten officials are admitting that a blown fumble call in the 2007 Ohio State/Illinois game should have been called a fumble. As you can see in the video above, the ball was recovered by Ohio State in the end zone for what would have been touchback and most likely preventing an Illinois touchdown.
According to the Dispatch, the officiating team had struggled the week before in a Purdue game and it was later revealed that the head referee had a “history of bankruptcy, casino gambling, child abuse and allegations of sexual harassment.” Not that any of that would affect your ability to officiate a game. Let’s just say he probably won’t be back this season.
While I had actually manage to force this painful memory to the deep recesses of my memory, let’s go back and take a look at the impact of this missed call - just for the fun of it.
By the time Illinois lined up for the next play, most of the television audience was screaming for an official review of the call as they could all see that Illinois running back Dan Dufrene basically attempted to lateral the ball as he fell to the ground. No question Tressel should have called for a review but he claimed at the time that he heard there was something wrong with the replay equipment and he didn’t want to waste a challenge that early in the game.
While is was absolutely ridiculous that Illinois found a hole like that and made that type of run, the implications of this blown call are huge. if the fumble was recovered by Ohio State, that would have prevented the Illinois touchdown making the score 7-0, Ohio State. That puts the ball on the 20 and gives the Bucks the opportunity to drive against a frustrated Illinois.
Let’s say the Buckeyes score, and Illinois manages to put another touchdown on the board. That makes it a tie game. Buckeyes either pull ahead or keep it tied preventing the luxury of the slow drive which ate most of the fourth quarter preventing Ohio State from gaining possession. In a game that close, the slow drive wouldn’t have worked, the Buckeyes would have gotten at least one more shot at the ball, pulled themselves together and won the game.
Having beaten Illinois, they head into Michigan full of confidence. Michigan, who was coming off a loss to Wisconsin gets humiliated even more than they did and the Buckeyes head to the BCS Championship undefeated — no questions asked about their number #1 ranking.
With an undefeated season under their belt, they are mentally much better prepared for the game against LSU. Confidence is at a high, no dropped passes in the end zone, no nearly missed blocked kicks and the Buckeyes go on to win the national championship.
Seems simple enough to me.
Oh, and for the SEC trolls bound to find this post, the blown call isn’t that big a deal. Unlike LSU, the Buckeyes will be in the hunt again this year and odds are, we’ll be playing in the BCS Championship for the third year in a row.
Update: In my usual fashion, I originally said that the recovered ball would be a touch back worth two points. Hey, it seemed good at the time. I’ve modified the post to reflect the scenario of ball on 20. Sorry about that.
The Buckeyes wouldn’t have gotten two points. It’s a touchback, not a safety. They would just have gotten the ball on their 20.
ummm…it would have been a touchback and not a safety. moron.
Yep, thanks for catching that. Still, its fun to dream.
Jim
also, i don’t think it would have had an effect on the UM game because when they lost, they HAD to beat Michigan to win the Big Ten Title. Had they beaten Illinois, they could have relaxed more because they had a share of the title locked up.
Now there’s a scenario…Ohio State beats Illinois locking up the Big Ten Championship. While always a big game, the UM game doesn’t have the same impact without the Big Ten Title on the line.
Meanwhile, UM has nothing left to play for but a win over OSU. They somehow get over their loss to App State, and beat the Buckeyes putting on a miracle performance.
Since the game is a late season loss, Bucks lose shot at BCS Championship, go to Rose Bowl and play USC. USC who is struggling, instead of having the opportunity to whip Michigan, get beat by Ohio State.
Bucks end season on a confident note, come into 2008 ranked number 1, no questions asked, setting up an amazing early season rematch against USC.
Of course, without the loss to LSU, instead of a post loss decision to stick it out for one more year, the returning seniors go pro, Buckeyes become another question mark team, loaded with talent but young.
Wow…is anyone else ready for the football season to start?
[...] wrong on the fumble call against Ohio State in the Illinois game, the Big Ten ref heading the crew had a “history of bankruptcy, casino gambling, child abuse and allegations of sexual harassment,??… meaning he is unsuitable for collegiate officiating, but has a definite future in public service. [...]
“With an undefeated season under their belt, they are mentally much better prepared for the game against LSU.”
Ohio State’s been the class of the Big Ten the last few years but I’m not buying the idea that one blown fumble call is going to change the entire makeup of the season. LSU had two overtime losses to teams they shouldn’t have lost to, and spotted the Buckeyes 10 points in the championship game. Did that stop them? No. The team who adapts, wins.
There’s just no guarantee Ohio State doesn’t run into a buzzsaw against LSU anyway - like they did against Florida, when they did have an undefeated season going into the championship.
Of course, like you, I’m just speculating.
Best of luck to your team this fall!
Well what if one tree hadn’t fallen in the forest? Would the season have turned out differently? I understand it’s just speculation but could it be any more rediculous to imply one fumble would have changed EVERYTHING about the season
Do you really want to be humiliated in another BCS title game? Maybe it’s time to let the Big 12 have their turn at sending their ridiculously overrated conference champion to be slaughtered by either USC or (insert any number of SEC schools here).
Ah…CP gets it. The entire speculation is about a ridiculous as the Big Ten admitting to the problem a mere 8 months after the incident.
Ohio State should have never been in the situation where a blown call might have an impact on the game. If they can’t win regardless of what the refs do, then they don’t deserve the win.
As for boogerville…well that name about says it all. He must be an ESPN commentator thinking that USC or any SEC school are the teams to beat.
Please…my fumble changing season has more weight to it.
Correction:
“Unlike LSU, the Buckeyes will be in the hunt again this year and odds are, we’ll be getting another spanking in the BCS Championship for the third year in a row.”
[...] The Columbus Dispatch is reporting this morning that Big Ten officials are admitting that a blown fumble call in the 2007 Ohio State/Illinois game should have been called a fumble. As you can see in the video above, the ball was recovered by Ohio State in the … Go to Source [...]
Well done so to hold!