OSU slappy Kevin Schwarzel part of officiating crew tomorrow?
Unconfirmed reports flying around social media that the guy caught patting Mike Weber's butt in the 2016 hijacking is a part of tomorrow's crew.
So much for getting a fair shake if true.
[Ed-Seth: I took down two threads already that shared unsourced rumors and then got the information wildly wrong. Leaving this up because it at least came with a link to where he heard it from. I'm surprised you guys think Schwarzel is the only Michigan-hating ref in the Big Ten.]
November 26th, 2021 at 8:19 PM ^
Then you’d expect the calls to be more or less even, and for bad calls to go both ways. Yet, in 2 of the biggest games we’ve played over the last 5 years (ohio 2016 and staee 2021) it was entirely 1 sided.
November 26th, 2021 at 8:22 PM ^
If true, once again fuck this conference. How there's any part of their brain that feels like this would be cool, I'll never understand. I hate this conference.
November 26th, 2021 at 8:27 PM ^
If Michigan loses another close game this year with multiple bad calls against Michigan we should just leave the B10. Obviously don’t want us here if they assign an already biased official to a game that he previously made several bad calls in favor of the team he’s biased towards. They are just asking for controversy. We’ll take our revenue generating program elsewhere.
November 26th, 2021 at 8:47 PM ^
incomprehensible by the BIG10
November 26th, 2021 at 9:03 PM ^
Anyone else still feel like pretending this league isn't corrupt as fuck?
How does that guy even still have a job in the big 10 let alone be allowed to ref this game?
November 26th, 2021 at 8:59 PM ^
I'm surprised you guys think Schwarzel is the only Michigan-hating ref in the Big Ten.
I don't think people are under any illusions here. It's just worse to have an admitted OSU fan on the crew than some other dude who may or may not be biased.
November 26th, 2021 at 9:04 PM ^
Did Scwarzel officiate any UM games this year?
Honestly forgot about that fuck face until tonight.
November 26th, 2021 at 9:08 PM ^
This is absolute bullshit. The Big Ten has been fixing these games for YEARS!! There’s too much money in the playoffs and can’t afford their bell cow to be left out of it.
November 27th, 2021 at 12:48 AM ^
This is what I just don't understand. It's not like we're Rutgers. Michigan is the fourth largest revenue generating athletic department in all of college sports (to be fair, Ohio State's is second.. but still). Our fan base travels as well as any other program in the nation.
Why would the B1G feel the need to fix a game in the pursuit of profits (which in itself is abhorrent behavior for any conference administration) when Michigan offers virtually all of the money making opportunities for the league that Ohio State does? My best WAG is that Gene Smith has some monetary arrangements that are not made public with the NCAA and perhaps the B1G as well. I'm not exactly sure what those would be, but I do know he sits on every NCAA committee and leadership group that oversees revenue sports. He is very well connected in a way that he it is entirely possible for him to negotiate arrangements that help his cash cows make as much cash as possible. Blow all this shit up (NCAA, current conference groupings and leadership). It is a pathetic embarrassment to the spirit of sport for a bunch of middle aged suits to exploit college aged kids to make a boat load of money and script the outcomes like it's a fucking WWE match.
November 26th, 2021 at 9:13 PM ^
Go, Blue!
November 26th, 2021 at 9:16 PM ^
Well this seems to be confirmed. So much for Leaders and Best, when they couldn't get this right with B1G. Very disappointed with our AD.
November 27th, 2021 at 7:35 AM ^
AD is nothing but head cheerleader. I keep telling you. His own department would say so.
November 26th, 2021 at 9:36 PM ^
Regardless of if he calls a fair game or not, the Big Ten is opening themselves up for quite a bit of criticism for this
This ref is going to be under a incredible amount of scrutiny, the Big Ten is putting him in a very tough situation as well.
November 26th, 2021 at 9:39 PM ^
I agree - and it isn't just him. That entire crew is now in an incredibly tough position because of 1 of the 8 on the field. I can't imagine the intimidation factor for all of them - particularly now that this is public - to have to stand in front of 110,000 fans and hope like hell no loose cannon jumps the wall.
November 27th, 2021 at 6:05 AM ^
Close to half of those 110,000 will be fans of his, unfortunately.
November 26th, 2021 at 9:40 PM ^
1. Don't let him in the stadium.
or
2. Don't take the field until he's replaced. No way the BIG can spin this that a self-proclaimed fan should be officiating this game.
3. Nobody from Michigan or Ohio should be on the crew. Is this really that difficult?
November 26th, 2021 at 9:46 PM ^
He should give Henderson a patt on the butt after a first down as an "atta boy" just for old times sake.
November 26th, 2021 at 9:47 PM ^
It’d be funny if it wasn’t so predictable.
This guy was part of the crew that made multiple egregious errors in favor of his favorite team that he was reffing a high profile game for that the conference then apologized for and he gets to work the same high profile game 5 years later.
Leave this shit conference and go to the ACC. We’ll be making the playoffs in no time and who the hell cares about Ohio State at this point.
EDIT: Read Angelique’s replies because they’re interesting. Sounds like Michigan objected to this guy being part of the crew and they’ve maybe had conversations about what they can do to prevent it.
November 26th, 2021 at 9:53 PM ^
It would be wholly inappropriate for the University of Michigan to put his name or image on the jumbotron during the game, which could be interpreted as attempted intimidation of the officials. I wouldn't ever support that and I'm sure the Big Ten has policies against it.
However, maybe given officiating concerns from the past, it would be appropriate to put the name of every officiating position on the jumbotron, and their relevant officiating experience that qualifies them to participate in the game? Representative example.:
Head Referee
- CFP 2020
- Important nonconference game 2021
Side Judge
- CFP 2020
- Important nonconference game 2021
Back Judge
- Michigan-Ohio State game 2016
- Michigan-Ohio State game 2015
- Michigan-Ohio State game 2008
November 26th, 2021 at 10:50 PM ^
I may be overreacting, but if this OSU fan-ref screws us over again, I would not oppose joining the ACC.
November 26th, 2021 at 10:10 PM ^
Fuck the Big Ten for allowing this to happen. And fuck Warde.
November 26th, 2021 at 10:30 PM ^
Just another sign of the difference between OSU and Michigan. There is zero chance OSU allows this to happen. None.
UM will take the high road, keep their mouths shut and get boned again by this fn clown. A dude that doesn't even try to hide his personal feelings and affiliations.
Old's comment is not exaggeration or going overboard. A UM AD that gave half a shit would already publicly be demanding that he not work this game. If reversed OSU's AD would not allow it.
November 26th, 2021 at 10:33 PM ^
Honest to God, if this results in another Michigan screw job that results in a conference rule change, I am going to lose it.
November 26th, 2021 at 10:48 PM ^
Anyway to make this guy self-conscious at the game to possibly be more honest?
November 26th, 2021 at 11:03 PM ^
ESPN won’t let Herbie predict games he is calling to avoid the appearance of bias. And yet, the Big10 conference selects a self-proclaimed OSU fan to officiate an OSU game. If Schwarzel was a good official, he would acknowledge the conflict of interest and recuse himself from the game. But he’s the Big Ten’s Tim Donaghy, so of course he’s not stepping aside.
The corruption is so foul I can smell it from 2000 miles away. Pre-emptively, fuck the Big 10. Grab Nebraska and move to the BIG12. They need a new flagship program.
November 27th, 2021 at 7:31 AM ^
I said this myself. ACC is closer but either works.
November 27th, 2021 at 9:54 AM ^
That's well put - even the appearance of impropriety should be sufficient to modify behavior. In Herbie's case, the most he can do is merely talk about the game in a biased manner. In the referee's case, it is a person that has the power to strengthen or weaken one team over another.
November 26th, 2021 at 11:05 PM ^
We’ll at least the team knows they have to outplay OSU and the refs ahead of time.
November 27th, 2021 at 12:37 AM ^
If the home game crowd is considered the 12th man on the field, is this considered 13th and 14th?
November 27th, 2021 at 12:55 AM ^
Warde Manual absolutely should be fired from his job if these guys are officiating the game tomorrow. It’s the worst dereliction of duty one would know.
November 27th, 2021 at 2:38 AM ^
What in the flying fuck? Is it just him or is whole crew the same besides the retired Capron?
November 27th, 2021 at 6:21 AM ^
Certainly doesn't seem professional to place a person in a position of that influence who has a known conflict of interest.
November 27th, 2021 at 7:08 AM ^
OSU AD Gene Smith texts the BIG Director for Officiating: "Hi, just got the news from Coach Day that Stroud has the flu and is going to be well below 100% for the game. Our backup QBs really aren't going to cut it. What can you do for me?"
Big Ten Director of Officiating: "Damn, I just placed my bet! Hahaha JK" <several laugh emojis>
Smith: "Me too!" <several laugh emojis>
Big Ten Director of Officiating: "Seriously not to worry, I'll put Schwarzel's crew on the field. He'll make sure things go smoothly, like he did in '16."
Smith: "Awesome, much appreciated. Uh, the usual?"
Big Ten Director of Officiating: "Yeah, that villa in Provence has been fantastic—we'd love to go back!"
Smith: "Enjoy! Go Bucks, and fuck Michigan."
Big Ten Director of Officiating: "Haha Fuck Michigan!" <several laugh emojis>
November 27th, 2021 at 7:32 AM ^
Seems about right! Any chance this news coming out before the game puts a spotlight on this officiating crew? If the media gets ahold of this and the officials know they are under the microscope, maybe they call a fair game….Wishful thinking, I know.
November 27th, 2021 at 7:28 AM ^
This is where I look at Warde apologists and shake my head. After MSU, how you permit this without a very public outcry, is indicative of his incompetence. The “behind the scenes” many claim does not happen. He rolls over to have his tummy rubbed.
November 27th, 2021 at 8:35 AM ^
Not sure how to “bump” a post, but Angelique confirmed.
Michigan, (1) has to put more pressure on the Big Ten. (2) On FOX or ESPN they need to publicly state that an Ohio State fan who was previously barred from reffing this game is going to be reffing again. Additionally, in 2016 missed several calls that were acknowledged to be missed by the B1G were his fault, all that went against Michigan. Finally, there is video evidence of his patting OSU on the ass after big plays and smiling when they would score.
I get that you don’t want to say that because it seems like excuses before the game even starts, but there needs to be pressure on this clown.
November 27th, 2021 at 8:39 AM ^
I want to upvote this because it's a good post however, I'm so enraged with blood boiling I'm having to fight off the urge to down vote.
November 27th, 2021 at 9:14 AM ^
Am I wrong in remembering the butt pat was the other ref?
November 27th, 2021 at 8:36 AM ^
I'm surprised you guys think Schwarzel is the only Michigan-hating ref in the Big Ten.
Kudos to Seth for beating up the strawman. Nobody has claimed that Schwarzel is the ONLY Michigan-hating ref in the B1G, merely that he is blatantly so and shouldn't be officiating The Game.
November 27th, 2021 at 9:36 AM ^
That's not a straw man. The argument is that a referee with clear anti-Michigan biases who was deeply involved in one of the most notorious referee screw-jobs in college football history should not be officiating the same game again. My argument, after UFRing this whole season, is that you literally can't get worse than the officiating Michigan has been receiving. I can count the Refs+ calls I charted this year on one hand; I need two to count the number of times this season that dramatically one-sided officiating substantially affected the final score. I can't prove a damn thing but if I was asked to point to one game of the hundred+ I've charted that was probably not on the level I would without hesitation point to the 2021 Michigan-MSU game.
Whether this one official is going to make a difference in the way the game is called goes to the heart of the question of whether Michigan should do something about his being put in charge of this game. What I am saying is it's not going to make a difference. Michigan was not going to get a fair whistle in this game unless they gave it to O'Neill and the random generator of officiating madness came out on their side. Every crew here was selected and trained by Capron, who hates Michigan to his bones. The one Ohio State guy is no different.
November 27th, 2021 at 10:01 AM ^
What? You used the most classic example of a strawman by saying "You believe X"
It's by definition a straw man lol
I do get what you mean to say "no, there are others"
November 27th, 2021 at 9:50 AM ^
At this point, I would not be surprised to see big nut and buck eye guy on the field reffing.
November 27th, 2021 at 9:52 AM ^
When Haskins scores his first TD he should present his ass and insist Kevin give it a nice friendly slap.
November 27th, 2021 at 10:59 AM ^
After the 2006 game, it has seemed like we can never get a fair whistle in a *major* conference game - even at home.
Honestly, I am becoming less and less interested in the Big Ten as the years progress. Tell the ACC we'll join if ND wants in, for all I care. I would rather have them profit off us than the shills in the Chicago office... and we get easier paths to the cfp.
November 27th, 2021 at 12:16 PM ^
Disgusting! How can that guy be allowed to officiate this game!?