Do you believe in the SEC conspiracy?

[KB5252]

KB5252, it's obvious that you like most Vols fans bought every bit of what Kiffin was selling you all via his whining excuses after the UT/UA game.

I have told you before he was wrong about the dead ball fowl to end the game. I do believe there was a larger discrepancy in the calls for and against then there should have been. With that said I do not blame our loss to bama on officials, as I have said repeatedly we had more than one chance to take that game and didn't get it done.

It's rather obvious to me that you choose to ignore what is obviously a problem for the conference because so far it hasn't effected you for the worse. Our officiating has been sub par at best, our officials are a joke, not because a few coaches criticized them but because of their calls on the field. Spin it any way you want, it just makes you look silly.

 

[VOLS INC.]

Sounds like you believe in Kiffin's consipiracy theory.

conspiracy or no conspiracy. your a bama fan do what you do. i just wanna know. MAN TO MAN. not orange to crimson.

TIDAL SURGE did LSU intercept that ball and furthermore did he CLEARLY intercept that ball?

 

[lawgator1]

“The complete lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is working”


-unattributed

 

[lawgator1]

“The complete lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is working”


--unattributed

 

[BigPapaVol]

“The complete lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is working”


-unattributed

Evidence of what?

--me
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[lawgator1]

Evidence of what?

--me
Posted via VolNation Mobile

There is evidence of bad officiating.

There is no evidence that the bad officiating is because of a conspiracy.

 

[BigPapaVol]

KB5252, it's obvious that you, like most of VolNation, bought every bit of what Kiffin was selling you all via his whining excuses after the UT/UA game.

And it sounds like you support Saban the lying machine for his borderline retarded commentary on officials needing kudos.
Posted via VolNation Mobile

 

[Tidal Surge]

I have told you before he was wrong about the dead ball fowl to end the game. I do believe there was a larger discrepancy in the calls for and against then there should have been. With that said I do not blame our loss to bama on officials, as I have said repeatedly we had more than one chance to take that game and didn't get it done.

It's rather obvious to me that you choose to ignore what is obviously a problem for the conference because so far it hasn't effected you for the worse. Our officiating has been sub par at best, our officials are a joke, not because a few coaches criticized them but because of their calls on the field. Spin it any way you want, it just makes you look silly.

I've never said that I don't think SEC officiating needs to be improved. I think it does. I also think the coaches should adhere to the SEC code of ethics and utilize the SEC's procedures that exist for achieving that end.

Kiffin's and the media's portrayal that the SEC conspires in or condones biased officiating aimed at landing an undefeated UF and UA in the SEC Championship game may actually be a bigger problem than the quality of the officiating. It may also be a more difficult problem to correct.

 

[lawgator1]

“In fact, one thing that I have noticed . . . is that all of these conspiracy theories depend on the perpetrators being endlessly clever. I think you'll find the facts also work if you assume everyone is endlessly stupid.”

 

[VOLS INC.]

I've never said that I don't think SEC officiating needs to be improved. I think it does. I also think the coaches should adhere to the SEC code of ethics and utilize the SEC's procedures that exist for achieving that end.

Kiffin's and the media's portrayal that the SEC conspires in or condones biased officiating aimed at landing an undefeated UF and UA in the SEC Championship game may actually be a problem than the quality of the officiating. It may also be a more difficult problem to correct.

well i guess we don't have to worry about saban saying anything seeing as how he is the beneficiary of all the calls.

I could hear saban now "Dang it LSU intercepted that ball, i mean it was clearly intercepted replay showed that. My defense should have got an opportunity to get back on the field"

And after the ut game
"I just wanna say i am very disappointing in the officiating. We had one penalty called on us all game. I counted at least 4 holding calls and 2 blocks in the back that WE committed. I think that the SEC officials are taking it too easy on these kids. I am trying to teach them discipline how can i do that if they just keep getting free passes"

It's ok dude. Enjoy it while you can because it's just a matter of time before slive is fired order is restored and ALL teams in the SEC will have a FAIR shot because this isn't just an orange thing ARK, MISS ST, and LSU were all screwed too.

 

[ellivhsaN]

Do you believe that certain teams/players benefit from calls more than others (i.e., Greg Maddux would get the called strike just off the plate over the rookie with the same pitch or Michael Jordan would not be called for the charge whereas the rookie would)?

I have seen it happen all the times in sports. Call it conspiracy, bias, favoritism, or whatever you want. It happens. Kiffin calling attention to that bias is no different than those who pointed out Greg Maddux’s enlarged strike zone.

^ This ^

Not so much a conspiracy for Alabama/Florida specifically. It's more that the ranked/favorite (and this year it happens to be Bama/Fla) get the benefit of the doubt on calls.
Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson has been saying this for several years, indicating that his teams have to play more disciplined than ranked opponents in the conference.


IMHO, this bias shows up more in non-calls than in the actual 'bad calls' that are made. The Fla/Ark game this year is a prime example. There were a couple of well publicized bad calls against Arkansas. There were even more non-calls against Florida (a late hit out of bounds, offensive PI etc).

Those non calls do effect play on the field. When one team is allowed to play aggressively and the other quickly penalized, it becomes a factor in the game.

 

[VolDad]

“The complete lack of evidence is the surest sign that the conspiracy is working”


--unattributed

TouchDown!

-- SEC Ref and Replay Official

 

[KB5252]

I've never said that I don't think SEC officiating needs to be improved. I think it does. I also think the coaches should adhere to the SEC code of ethics and utilize the SEC's procedures that exist for achieving that end.

Kiffin's and the media's portrayal that the SEC-conspires or condones biased officiating aimed at landing an undefeated UF and UA in the SEC officiating may actually be a problem than the quality of the officiating. It may also be a more difficult problem to correct.

They did at first, remember these officials were only suspended for the horrible calls after a clear and undeniable pattern was demonstrated. It is a shame more was not done before the pattern was undeniable, Slive's hand was forced, let's not make it out like he took the initiative without serious uproar from the coaches and media first.

Since then there has been even more clear evidence of very poor officiating in multiple games involving multiple teams. As I said Slive cannot suspend them all, what he has is a problem with quality officials, a problem that should have been identified and taken care of before the season even started.

You are correct that the problem of appearances will be much harder to correct, Kiffin can be overly sarcastic at times no doubt, the simple truth is the appearance of conspiracy problem didn't start with Kiffin. Slive coming down hard on Kiffin for this only fed the flames.

Now Slive has a problem which is as much his own creation as it is anything. He allowed the conditions to take place that put the microscope on the officiating, he came down on officials after the uproar. When the uproar wouldn't go away due to even more bad calls he came down on coaches. Everything he has done to this point on the issue has been reactionary, it doesn't solve the problem in any way. This is why I believe any criticism of Slive is just at this point. He certainly has a lot to keep him busy with this off season, he has his work cut out for him this coming year. Hopefully he handles it better than he has to date.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Criticizing individual calls is fine, no problem there, we all do it. But there's a huge leap from that to, with straight face, claiming that the officials have some sort of agreement or have been instructed by conference officials to help out particular teams. There's no way people are going to do that, its silly. And there's no way it wouldn't have gotten out and become public.

I don't believe they are protecting certain teams as much as they are protecting a certain game. A #1 vs #2 matchup in the SECCG is a HUGE payday for the SEC. Not to mention the winner is in the BCS title game, and the loser in the Sugar Bowl. If UGA and LSU had been the two teams getting the preseason hype, and were headed for a 1-2 matchup in the SECCG, then I believe they would have been the teams benefiting from favorable calls.

 

[lawgator1]

TouchDown!

-- SEC Ref and Replay Official

That's evidence that there was a bad call. It is not evidence that the bad call was due to a conspiracy. There is no evidence that there is a conspiracy. That's because there is none.

 

[KB5252]

That's evidence that there was a bad call. It is not evidence that the bad call was due to a conspiracy. There is no evidence that there is a conspiracy. That's because there is none.

I'm certainly not convinced there is a conspiracy but with all the bad calls that have benefited Florida and Bama it certainly makes it tough to make an absolute statement like your last sentence.

There is no evidence to support the SEC jobbing "lesser" teams to make sure the two favorites finish the regular season unscathed but it is curious so many of the most controversial calls have gone their way. Whether you believe the conspiracy theory or not one has to admit it does raise some questions.

 

[rjd970]

The conspiracy stuff is senseless IMO.

But that doesn't change the fact that Bama/UF have been on the good side of a lot of calls this season, some were close calls, others were ridiculously wrong. They have clearly got the benefit of the doubt, even in cases where there shouldn't have been doubt.

Any UF/Bama homer that can't admit this is delusional.

 

[lawgator1]

I'm certainly not convinced there is a conspiracy but with all the bad calls that have benefited Florida and Bama it certainly makes it tough to make an absolute statement like your last sentence.

There is no evidence to support the SEC jobbing "lesser" teams to make sure the two favorites finish the regular season unscathed but it is curious so many of the most controversial calls have gone their way. Whether you believe the conspiracy theory or not one has to admit it does raise some questions.

The conspiracy stuff is senseless IMO.

But that doesn't change the fact that Bama/UF have been on the good side of a lot of calls this season, some were close calls, others were ridiculously wrong. They have clearly got the benefit of the doubt, even in cases where there shouldn't have been doubt.

Any UF/Bama homer that can't admit this is delusional.

And now the truth comes out -- this whole conspiracy notion is simply a way to minimize the succcess of the winner of the SECCG, particularly if that team goes on to win the BCS.

Jealousy.

 

[VolDad]

That's evidence that there was a bad call. It is not evidence that the bad call was due to a conspiracy. There is no evidence that there is a conspiracy. That's because there is none.

The ref made a bad call. The replay official not correcting the bad call, despite evidence to the contrary, supports a conspiracy theory.

 

[VolDad]

And now the truth comes out -- this whole conspiracy notion is simply a way to minimize the succcess of the winner of the SECCG, particularly if that team goes on to win the BCS.

Jealousy.

You nailed it. Football fans from across the country as well as the sports media are “Jealous”. You are mighty full of yourself aren’t you?

 

[ellivhsaN]

From the similar thread:

Do you believe that certain teams/players benefit from calls more than others (i.e., Greg Maddux would get the called strike just off the plate over the rookie with the same pitch or Michael Jordan would not be called for the charge whereas the rookie would)?

I have seen it happen all the times in sports. Call it conspiracy, bias, favoritism, or whatever you want. It happens. Kiffin calling attention to that bias is no different than those who pointed out Greg Maddux’s enlarged strike zone.

^ This ^

Not so much a conspiracy for Alabama/Florida specifically. It's more that the ranked/favorite (and this year it happens to be Bama/Fla) get the benefit of the doubt on calls.
Vanderbilt's Bobby Johnson has been saying this for several years, indicating that his teams have to play more disciplined than ranked opponents in the conference.


IMHO, this bias shows up more in non-calls than in the actual 'bad calls' that are made. The Fla/Ark game this year is a prime example. There were a couple of well publicized bad calls against Arkansas. There were even more non-calls against Florida (a late hit out of bounds, offensive PI etc).

Those non calls do effect play on the field. When one team is allowed to play aggressively and the other quickly penalized, it becomes a factor in the game.

 

[KB5252]

And now the truth comes out -- this whole conspiracy notion is simply a way to minimize the succcess of the winner of the SECCG, particularly if that team goes on to win the BCS.

Jealousy.

Way to dance around the post and not actually address anything in it, then attribute everything to jealousy.

Bottom line is there is a public perception that the officiating in the SEC is poor at best and that there is favoritism at worst. I use the term favoritism because I think a conspiracy to make sure the SEC gets the match up it wants is a little far fetched. It looks much more like it is a case of the favorites getting the benefit of the doubt to me.

The deal is there is a public perception problem grounded in fact and reality. If you want to call it jealousy then go right ahead, you will be incorrect however. The problem is poor officiating that seems to have benefited two teams in particular, who happen to be the two favorites by the way. That perception is very detrimental to the conference and needs to be addressed. Perhaps it is just by chance and that is just the way it all shook out, perhaps there has been a little help called in for the favorites, I refuse to believe that could ever be the case in this conference, I certainly hope not.

 

[rjd970]

And now the truth comes out -- this whole conspiracy notion is simply a way to minimize the succcess of the winner of the SECCG, particularly if that team goes on to win the BCS.

Jealousy.

Again, read what you want instead of what is stated. I think (and I would say KB5252 as well) that there isn't a conspiracy. BUT, the simple truth is UF and Bama have got some very favorable calls this year...some close, some flat out wrong. Are you denying this?

You're the one saying it minimizes and other teams are jealous. I can't help if your self-conscious and narrow view of your team draws you to that conclusion.

The simple fact remains, UF and Bama got some officiating help this year, whether they would have needed it or not. I'm not saying it is a conspiracy or the officials did it on purpose, I'm just saying it is what it is.

I'm sorry that hurts your feelings. :cray:

 

[lawgator1]

You nailed it. Football fans from across the country as well as the sports media are “Jealous”. You are mighty full of yourself aren’t you?

The folks from rivals of Alabama and Florida would like to tout this as a conspiracy so as to minimize the success of Alabama and Florida, yes. The national "sports media" promote it because its fun and entertaining, even with no evidence to support it.

It is hard, after all, to disprove a negative, particularly a conspiracy because, if the SEC or UF or Alabama says there isn't one, then you looney toons folks just say, well, of course yo usay there isn't one. That's part of the conspiracy!

Seriously, do you think that if the SEC admins had sat down and figured out to do that and then relayed that to a dozen refs and support folks, so that they were on national tv making intentionally bad split second calls, no one would know?

Idiocy to think that. Truly mind bendingly stupid.

Way to dance around the post and not actually address anything in it, then attribute everything to jealousy.

Bottom line is there is a public perception that the officiating in the SEC is poor at best and that there is favoritism at worst. I use the term favoritism because I think a conspiracy to make sure the SEC gets the match up it wants is a little far fetched. It looks much more like it is a case of the favorites getting the benefit of the doubt to me.

The deal is there is a public perception problem grounded in fact and reality. If you want to call it jealousy then go right ahead, you will be incorrect however. The problem is poor officiating that seems to have benefited two teams in particular, who happen to be the two favorites by the way. That perception is very detrimental to the conference and needs to be addressed. Perhaps it is just by chance and that is just the way it all shook out, perhaps there has been a little help called in for the favorites, I refuse to believe that could ever be the case in this conference, I certainly hope not.

No problem advocating for the best and most accurate officiating possible. Go for it. I support you.

I just find the idea that the officials are consciously doing something like this to favor anyone to be ridiculous.

 

[KB5252]

The folks from rivals of Alabama and Florida would like to tout this as a conspiracy so as to minimize the success of Alabama and Florida, yes. The national "sports media" promote it because its fun and entertaining, even with no evidence to support it.

It is hard, after all, to disprove a negative, particularly a conspiracy because, if the SEC or UF or Alabama says there isn't one, then you looney toons folks just say, well, of course yo usay there isn't one. That's part of the conspiracy!

Seriously, do you think that if the SEC admins had sat down and figured out to do that and then relayed that to a dozen refs and support folks, so that they were on national tv making intentionally bad split second calls, no one would know?

Idiocy to think that. Truly mind bendingly stupid.






No problem advocating for the best and most accurate officiating possible. Go for it. I support you.

I just find the idea that the officials are consciously doing something like this to favor anyone to be ridiculous.

Perhaps it is ridiculous, the simple fact is that there is a perception, right or wrong, that this very well could be the case. The very fact that so many controversial calls seem to lend some credence to the conspiracy theorists is a problem. I put this on Slive because I believe he has handled this entire deal very poorly, he has been very reactionary, another detail that in some ways acts as fuel for the fire as well.

The problem isn't so much that there are people that believe a conspiracy is possible, it is that there has been enough fuel added to fire (more controversial and just plain incorrect calls made in UF and bama's favor). Fix the officiating and the conspiracy doesn't exist period.

Slive has not done this, the bad calls have piled up and he has gone after coaches instead of the poor continued officiating. Slive has his work cut out for him after the season, he has a lot to fix.