The Sports Grouch

The SEC’s official position on lousy officiating in the South Carolina-Florida game was announced.

Yes, it’s 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.

The SEC’s head of officials Steve Shaw didn’t go into specifics on the officiating, making Gamecock Nation mad enough to spit nails.

Florida scored on a pass when the South Carolina defender was clearly held as he raced down the field to make the tackle.

On a 2nd touchdown, Florida pulled off a blatant pick play on the South Carolina defensive back.

Pick plays are illegal and should have been called. Even the commentators and a SEC analyst questioned it.

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, missed or controversial calls should be reviewed.

Fans in the stadium – and the officials, too – can see missed violations 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?

Last season’s worst mistake was a non-call on a pass interference in the NFC championship game. It cost New Orleans a Super Bowl shot. Replays showed an official clearly could see the interference. Was he blind?

The Sports Grouch welcomes email at ChronicleSports@yahoo.com .