Big Ten makes major change after onside kick debacle in Minnesota vs. Michigan
When officials make a bad call in a game, there are usually instances when you can look back and point out multiple instances other than that where they could have won the game. That holds true when the Michigan Wolverines took on the Minnesota Golden Gophers this past Saturday. The Gophers had plenty of those […]
When officials make a bad call in a game, there are usually instances when you can look back and point out multiple instances other than that where they could have won the game. That holds true when the Michigan Wolverines took on the Minnesota Golden Gophers this past Saturday.
The Gophers had plenty of those moments leading up to their fourth quarter touchdown drive to get within a field goal of the Wolverines 27-24. Then, the officials blew an onside kick by calling offsides on the Gophers when it wasn't, essentially costing them a win.
Fox Sports analysts completely annihilate officials for blowing onside kick call in Michigan vs. Minnesota game
Blown onside kick call gifted Michigan a victory
Big Ten changes officiating process for onside kicks
After that fiasco that cost the Gophers a chance to potentially win the game against the Wolverines, the Big Ten is changing how they handle onside kicks. Andy Greder of The Pioneer Press reported that they are moving their officials to make it easier to see if a player is offside.
This isn't going to change the Gophers getting robbed of a potential upset win in Ann Arbor, but it could make a difference down the line. What would help best long-term is making offsides a reviewable play since its something you can easily tell from the replay booth.
Will this end up being a factor at all down the line? Probably not, but kudos to the Big Ten for understanding they could potentially solve an issue.
