Baylor's 4th down conversion with about 8:30 remaining on the drive that pulled them within 7. The spot looked questionable to me, but we were not shown a replay. I will have to wait to see the video when the game is posted tomorrow.
This also illustrates what is an obvious change in officiating philosophy and mechanics that I assume has come about to serve the up-tempo offenses. As a former official -- many years ago -- I know that officiating mechanics at that time called for the official in best position to see forward progress to mark the spot. If it was close to a first down you would then wait for the referee to come to the spot and make a decision to award a first down, not award it, or call for a measurement. It is pretty clear to me that the officials marking the spot are empowered to make the call of first down immediately -- even if it is very close. I'm sure we have all noticed that we rarely have a measurement any more. Actually if a play like the one I mentioned above is not even looked at more closely before awarding a first down, I don't know why we would ever have a measurement any more. IMO, an official has enough to do during the play without worrying about whether the ball has reached the line to gain unless that yellow line we see on TV could actually be on the field, which of course it is not.
This also illustrates what is an obvious change in officiating philosophy and mechanics that I assume has come about to serve the up-tempo offenses. As a former official -- many years ago -- I know that officiating mechanics at that time called for the official in best position to see forward progress to mark the spot. If it was close to a first down you would then wait for the referee to come to the spot and make a decision to award a first down, not award it, or call for a measurement. It is pretty clear to me that the officials marking the spot are empowered to make the call of first down immediately -- even if it is very close. I'm sure we have all noticed that we rarely have a measurement any more. Actually if a play like the one I mentioned above is not even looked at more closely before awarding a first down, I don't know why we would ever have a measurement any more. IMO, an official has enough to do during the play without worrying about whether the ball has reached the line to gain unless that yellow line we see on TV could actually be on the field, which of course it is not.
