Bias for the Winningest/Favored Team in the SEC?

[The-Hack]

I think we’ve all felt that some calls in football games have gone against us, especially late in seasons where we came close to ruining the records of ranked SEC teams jockeying for the playoffs and the big bowls.

OK.

It’s payback time, SEC!!!

With our remaining three SEC games, the best two of opponents can do is maybe win enough to avoid the Music City Bowl, or avoid a 5-7 type record.

The best we can do is sneak into the backdoor of the playoffs or the Sugar Bowl.

I hope marginal calls start going our way.

I’ve seen decades of the reverse trend.

 

[bluesundown]

I wouldn’t count on it. The basketball team is favored to win most years and gets terrible calls on the road in the SEC

 

[merrimanm]

I wouldn’t count on it. The basketball team is favored to win most years and gets terrible calls on the road in the SEC

That's because basketball is different. Most likely Kentucky loses a few games and gets in the tournament and makes a strong run. Other teams can get in with a decent record and win over Kentucky.

In football, one win can cost you nearly everything.

 

[TBCat]

I think we’ve all felt that some calls in football games have gone against us, especially late in seasons where we came close to ruining the records of ranked SEC teams jockeying for the playoffs and the big bowls.

OK.

It’s payback time, SEC!!!

With our remaining three SEC games, the best two of opponents can do is maybe win enough to avoid the Music City Bowl, or avoid a 5-7 type record.

The best we can do is sneak into the backdoor of the playoffs or the Sugar Bowl.

I hope marginal calls start going our way.

I’ve seen decades of the reverse trend.

The problem is that I don't believe the bad calls we get are for that reason. I believe we get the kind of bias that follows good teams. The refs will generally favor Alabama or Georgia because it's Bama or Georgia. So of course they made the play. It's the same reason Patrick Ewing was able to take 8 steps without a dribble and never get called for walking, but Will Perdue couldn't even take a half step. I don't believe the SEC is telling refs to protect certain teams. It's just bias that comes naturally from expectation.

 

[vhcat70]

I don't know how, but would think someone could come up with an objective measure of this bias.

 

[LosGatos]

I don't know how, but would think someone could come up with an objective measure of this bias.

The first step would be to establish a review process. There maybe such a process already in place just hidden from the fans. Once you have a review process to establish the correctness of calls, refs should be ranked. Refs with the lowest percentage of correct calls over a season should be replaced. Actually, I suspect, should a review would show that the vast majority of calls are correct.

 

[THE_OAK]

The first step would be to establish a review process. There maybe such a process already in place just hidden from the fans. Once you have a review process to establish the correctness of calls, refs should be ranked. Refs with the lowest percentage of correct calls over a season should be replaced. Actually, I suspect, should a review would show that the vast majority of calls are correct.

I also believe refs should be available to the media following games. They should have to explain their thought process on certain plays or penalties or non-penalties.

 

[EliteBlue]

That's because basketball is different. Most likely Kentucky loses a few games and gets in the tournament and makes a strong run. Other teams can get in with a decent record and win over Kentucky.

In football, one win can cost you nearly everything.

This.

Football it benefits the conference to protect its top teams and give them the best shot at the playoffs or bigger payout bowls.

Basketball it benefits the conference to get as many teams in the tournament. So a win against a top 25/top 10 Kentucky helos a bubble SEC teams resume

 

[Creed Bratton]

I also believe refs should be available to the media following games. They should have to explain their thought process on certain plays or penalties or non-penalties.

Listen there is no way they will make them available to the media. The police escorting them to the airport will run over you if you get in their way on Nicholasville Rd after a game. They act like they are escorting the President or something.

 

[vhcat70]

The first step would be to establish a review process. There maybe such a process already in place just hidden from the fans. Once you have a review process to establish the correctness of calls, refs should be ranked. Refs with the lowest percentage of correct calls over a season should be replaced. Actually, I suspect, should a review would show that the vast majority of calls are correct.

Well just what is correct? Is mismarking a ball placement 6" correct? 3"? 1'? When ten refs see a film of a possible holding call, which are correct & how many judge it the same way? If PI is called, how many overrule on a ball 10' over receiver's head? And I'll bet 10-20% of POI are wrong when reviewed.

 

[THE_OAK]

Listen there is no way they will make them available to the media. The police escorting them to the airport will run over you if you get in their way on Nicholasville Rd after a game. They act like they are escorting the President or something.

They could easily do this right after a game in the media room. There wouldn't be any fan involvement just the refs and reporters. I know they won't ever do it because we would find out just how inept the refs really are. But there should be a level of transparency and accountability when it comes to officiating.

 

[SmedMoley]

I think we’ve all felt that some calls in football games have gone against us, especially late in seasons where we came close to ruining the records of ranked SEC teams jockeying for the playoffs and the big bowls.

OK.

It’s payback time, SEC!!!

With our remaining three SEC games, the best two of opponents can do is maybe win enough to avoid the Music City Bowl, or avoid a 5-7 type record.

The best we can do is sneak into the backdoor of the playoffs or the Sugar Bowl.

I hope marginal calls start going our way.

I’ve seen decades of the reverse trend.

Now Hack, some sensitive guys say talk of officiating is spoiling the board.

I say that's nonsense, and they probably shouldn't be on a message board. I agree with you 100%.

 

[clevenger32]

I wouldn’t count on it. The basketball team is favored to win most years and gets terrible calls on the road in the SEC

And at Home

 

[LosGatos]

Well just what is correct? Is mismarking a ball placement 6" correct? 3"? 1'? When ten refs see a film of a possible holding call, which are correct & how many judge it the same way? If PI is called, how many overrule on a ball 10' over receiver's head? And I'll bet 10-20% of POI are wrong when reviewed.

Ah, but you don't have an even number judge the call. You use an odd number. If the majority feel the call was incorrect, it is judge incorrect. As for ball placement, if the wrong placement causes a first down or failure to achieve same, it is judged wrong.

Same for PI on a pass over the receiver's head, majority rules.

Some one said "it is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness" What we are doing now is cursing the darkness.

 

[SaguaroCat]

115 - 30 against Florida
65 - 35 against Missouri
45 - 29 against South Carolina
42 - 15 against Georgia

How much more do the refs need to be in our pocket?