Oregon Ducks, Ohio State, ranked among the worst referees in college football

EUGENE It's been an exciting nine weeks of college football. The Oregon Ducks are the No. 1 team in the country for the first time in twelve years and have topped the rankings for the past three weeks after defeating then No. 1. 2 Ohio State. While there have been high moments for the Ducks and other college football teams across the country, there have also been low moments, especially around the referees.

The Ducks' most recent game against the then-No. Illini featured a controversial call or lack thereof. In the first half against Illinois, Oregon defenders Devon Jackson and Brandon Johnson sacked Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer for a loss of 11 yards. During the play, the ball appeared to come out of Altmyer's hands before he was down. Oregon outside linebacker Jaedon Moore knocked the ball out of Altmyer's hands before his knee hit the turf. Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon quickly made a clear recovery from the fumble; However, the officials did not rule the play a fumble. Instead, Illinois was forced to punt the ball.

“They had set the pace moving forward,” Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning said

In Oregon's game against the Ohio State Buckeyes on October 12, there was another instance of questionable performance. During the top-three matchup, Ohio State's Will Kacmarek was credited with a 32-yard catch from quarterback Will Howards; However, Kacmarek never seemed to have control of the ball. As Kacmarek struggled to gain control, it was snatched away by Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa, although it was not ruled an interception.

Ohio State then rushed to the scrimmage to make a rushing play for running back Quinshon Judkins, presumably to avoid a potential replay, and it worked. The Big Ten replay center did not signal to officials that the catch needed to be reviewed before the Buckeyes snapped the ball.

That game ranks among the top 10 worst referees during the 2024 college football season, according to a list by On3.

It's not just Oregon that has to deal with questionable officials; there have been numerous missed and controversial calls at all conferences.

I watched games today and it was crazy. We're higher than we've been (in penalties), I watch all these games, and they're higher than they've ever been, Georgia coach Kirby Smart said in September. I say: what's going on? We've never been a smart, low-penalty team, and I can't figure it out. I don't know if it's the way it's called higher, it's called tighter? Because everyone got more. We have to get it in.

One of the most controversial calls of the 2024 season so far came during the Texas-Georgia game, which resulted in Oregon capturing the No. 1 spot in the rankings.

With just over three minutes left in the third quarter, Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron picked off Georgia quarterback Carson Beck and returned it for 36 yards. Texas was then flagged for defensive pass interference, giving Georgia the ball back on a first down.

Texas fans were unhappy with the call and began throwing water bottles and trash onto the field at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in protest as officials discussed the call.

Later, officials announced they would quash the call, saying the flag should not have been thrown. Texas was then awarded the ball at Georgia's 9-yard line. Georgia ultimately won 30-15.

Texas was fined $250,000 by the SEC for fans throwing trash on the field.

It's one of those things where I don't know what to say or what not to say. So I won't comment. “I want to respect the wishes of the SEC office,” Smart said.

These recent controversies have sparked debate and frustration among fans, coaches and players. While every game inevitably has close calls, consistency and transparency in officiating are crucial to maintaining the integrity of the sport.