Sports

Big 12 Referee Sparks Collusion Controversy By Taunting Utah Fans While Pandering To Iowa State

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Utah Football Big 12 Referee Taunt Crowd Controversy
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Did the Big 12 rig a college football game in favor of Iowa State? Utah fans are fully convinced they were on the wrong side of a hose job on Saturday after a conference official sparked cries of collusion by engaging with the crowd throughout all four quarters in Salt Lake City.

Although it is hard to confirm the conspiracy as truth, the wildly unprofessional behavior presents a rather compelling case.

First and foremost, lets look at the numbers. Heading into the weekend, not even one Big 12 program was ranked inside the top 12 of the College Football Playoff rankings. Only 12 teams get in. BYU was ranked No. 14. Colorado was ranked No. 16. Arizona State was ranked No. 21. Iowa State was ranked No. 22.

If the Big 12 has any chance of getting a team into the Playoff, one of those four programs will need to be the representative. The Buffaloes lost, so it comes down to the Sun Devils, Cougars and Cyclones.

It would behoove the conference to ensure that those three teams do not lose again. Hence the aforementioned controversy in the Beehive State.

Utah was called for six penalties during a three-point home loss to Iowa State, including a defensive holding call on a blocked field goal that potentially swung the entire game in favor of the visitors. I didn’t even know that was a thing. How is that even possible?!

Meanwhile, the Cyclones were hit with only one five-yard penalty in 60 minutes. They were flagged for jumping offsides with 42 seconds left in the fourth quarter. That was it.

The lack of penalties called on Iowa State was perplexing!

There were multiple instances where a holding call would have (and maybe should have) overturned a big play on offense. This gator roll tackle on Utes quarterback Isaac Wilson could be seen as unnecessary roughness:

And yet, nothing. The Cyclones had one penalty the entire game.

Meanwhile, the Line Judge actively engaged the Utah crowd during a stoppage in play.

I have witnessed/watched a countless amount of college football games at this point in my life— both in person and on television. Never before have I seen an official taunt the crowd in such a manner. Rather, in any manner.

He turned back to the fans and egged them on… during a live game!!!!

According to Utah’s official box score, the line judge’s name is Darren Deckard. His wildly unprofessional behavior should not only be subject to an investigation, it should be punished accordingly.

Should the Big 12 choose to overlook Deckard’s taunt, the cries of collusion will only get louder. An Iowa State win was the best outcome for the conference and not only did penalty calls go heavily in favor of the Cyclones, an official was provoking the fanbase of the team that lost. Hm…..