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College Football Playoff reveals officiating crew for national championship
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It will be a Big XII officiating crew for tonight’s College Football Playoff Championship.
Why does that matter? Because Ohio State might be the one to suffer here.
The Big XII officials this year have been whistle-happy and Ohio State’s semifinal in the College Football Playoff is the evidence here.
Big 12 officials are working tonight’s @CFBPlayoff title game
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 11, 2021
A total of 12 penalties for 115 yards were called by the Big XII officiating crew in No. 2 Clemson’s loss to No. 3 Ohio State. Of the dozen penalties, nine penalties (for 95 yards) were called against the Big Ten team.
Big 12 crew in Ohio State-Clemson.
Total penalties: 12 for 115 yards.
Ohio State 9 for 95
Clemson 3 for 20. https://t.co/LgBJW36lT8— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) January 11, 2021
That is massively distorted number and one that should have the Buckeyes a bit wary going against top-ranked Alabama. Ohio State will have to be aggressive on defensive to neutralize Alabama’s consistent offense.
Big 12 crew for tonights game. Among P5 conferences this year, Big 12 teams were penalized more times (6.9) for more yards (59.8) per game. How the game is called, especially on the defensive side of the ball – PI, hello? will go a long way in how this game goes.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) January 11, 2021
If the officials whistle a tight game, it might be devastatingly bad for Ohio State, especially in the backend.
Ohio State averaged six penalties a game for an average of 58 yards per game during the Big Ten regular season.