Officiating always seems to be a topic of conversation. High-definition cameras give us great looks at every play. The number of camera angles we have of every play is astounding. This means that when a blown call happens at the end of a game, people start to question the officiating. One Big Ten game, Illinois vs. Michigan, ended in some controversy. The call was so bad that former Badgers head coach Bret Bielema called the league “rigged”.
Bret Bielema Calls The League Rigged
Bret Bielema after this game:
"I've lost all respect sorry this is absolutely rigged for money or ratings. I won't be silent. I just saw it live"
— CleBuckeye (@CleBuckeye23) November 19, 2022
What Bielema has done with the Illinois football program has been great. The last three weeks however have seen heartbreak happen at the end of games due to officiating decisions. Bielema has stayed silent and handled things well but this was the straw that broke the camel’s back. “I’ve lost all respect. Sorry, this is rigged for money or ratings,” Bielema said after the game. These are strong words from the former Badgers head coach. For Bret Bielema to come out and say the league is rigged is not a great look for the Big Ten.
The Missed Call
Illinois was up by one on the Wolverines. Michigan was facing a 4th and 4 and they ran this play to convert.
Michigan saved again by refs.
How is this not a pick play? You can block now before a pass? pic.twitter.com/R8pTgeuQkl
— Andrew_M (@TheParlayDad) November 19, 2022
Michigan went with a pick play which is often very effective. However, the offensive players have to be careful not to block too early. In this play, the Michigan receiver is blocking before the ball is out and while the ball is in the air. It seems like a pretty obvious offensive pass interference call but the refs did not call it.
Is The League Rigged?
Bret Bielema called the league rigged which is a strong accusation. I am not one to engage in wild conspiracy theories but this one is hard to ignore. With the win, Michigan goes into its matchup with Ohio State undefeated. If both of the teams are undefeated, it is a much more marketable matchup. It is easy to see why Bret Bielema went so far as to call the league rigged.
Ultimately, any time a team loses a game due to a call or non-call, this type of talk will happen. If one were to dissect the game there would be missed calls throughout. This one is just in a more high-leverage situation. Officiating will always be a topic of conversation no matter what. Illinois just happened to be on the wrong end of a bad call.
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1 Comment
There was pass interference in the endzone that took a touchdown away from Michigan. He doesn’t seem very upset about that.
He’s said MSU players were faking injuries. He said Urban Meyer had questionable recruiting tactics.
And he’s blamed the officials for the last 3 Illinois losses — not just this one. At some point the league has to at least consider a fine.