Pass Interference Calls - Why Not Reviewable?

Submitted by jcorqian on October 27th, 2019 at 5:44 PM

Just curious why pass interference calls are not reviewable?  In the last two games, there have been a few huge OPI and DPI calls against us.  These calls have either changed the game or have had the potential to change it.

I don't understand why they are not reviewable when it seems like plenty of other big, game-deciding plays are reviewable?  These are massive momentum swings in as momentum-dominated of a sport as there is out there.

I have been here for a long-time and am not new to football, but I have never played outside of high school and we didn't exactly throw the ball much in our league so never really thought about this much.  Just curious on the rationale and if better football minds can explain this.

MKen

October 28th, 2019 at 8:41 AM ^

NFL has it in theory but almost never overturns anything.  You might as well call it the 'Saints rule' as it appears it was only put in place to appease the NO organization who obviously got royally screwed last year.  Review officials probably got a mandate stating you don't overturn PI unless it's to that level of incompetency.

bacon1431

October 27th, 2019 at 5:51 PM ^

I don’t like penalties being reviewable (other than personal fouls). It’s way too subjective. Not a black and white call like completions, fumbles etc. It hasn’t worked in the NFL either. Coaches have stopped challenging PI because they have no idea if it’ll be upheld or overturned 

Michigan_Mike

October 27th, 2019 at 6:48 PM ^

They have stopped reviewing it in the NFL because Alberto Riveron, the head of officiating, has stated publicly that he does not believe those calls should be overturned and so when it goes to him he upholds basically every call made on the field. He is blatantly sticking up his middle finger at the rule change because he thinks he knows better.

Squash34

October 27th, 2019 at 9:53 PM ^

I agree many are not subjective. However, when the PI is clearly a phantom call because there is no contact by the player bring flagged is not subjective. 

I think they could figure out a way to buzz down and get these looked at.

I'd add in OPI on pick plays were the WR is flat out blocking to the list too. 

MMB 82

October 27th, 2019 at 5:55 PM ^

Unfortunately, I can see an ultimate scenario where they run a play, then review it; run a play, then review it; run a play, then review it, ad nauseam. In which case we would only be able to watch games by viewing WH videos on Youtube.

The Pharaoh of Filth

October 27th, 2019 at 7:57 PM ^

I have been reading Michigan message boards for years. 

I have come to this conclusion: Michigan fans think EVERYBODY is incompetent at what they do. And these boards are so full of ridiculous whining and complaining about it (announcers, referees, coaches, journalists etc etc) that I am not quite sure why people on these boards even watch sports anymore.

It seems that some guy sitting in his basement who knows everything should be out there doing something about it, as opposed to posting on various boards 11 million times a day.

Become a ref. Become a journalist. Save the sporting world from itself.

AC1997

October 27th, 2019 at 5:57 PM ^

I still think the "sky-judge" concept that the AAF was going to experiment with could be the right way to go.  I know college already has a replay official that stops play to check things, so why not allow that person to add some logic to bad calls too?  

The obvious answer is that you can find a subjective penalty on every single play.  But the sky-judge would be focused on obvious, play defining penalties.  A hold on the other side of the play wouldn't apply.  A bad PI or missed holding call would.  

I can think of reasons why we may never see it.....but when everyone on their couch and the announcers in the booth know a bad call within seconds of it happening - why can't we fix that in the game.  

Mongo

October 27th, 2019 at 5:58 PM ^

I agree.  The NCAA needs to adopt all NFL review standards including PI challenges.  College officials are not good and PI reviews would really improve game outcomes. 

OwenGoBlue

October 27th, 2019 at 5:59 PM ^

PI reviews are bad because every incompletion or completion may yet turn into a penalty. 

I appreciate knowing the result of a play after the play is over. 

username03

October 27th, 2019 at 6:25 PM ^

How can you have indisputable evidence on a judgement call?

Also, it's a waste of time, see the NFL where like 1 out of 30 non-calls has been overturned.

Satansnutsack

October 27th, 2019 at 6:25 PM ^

Refs don’t like to call each other out for being wrong.  That’s why they don’t overturn much. 

Jeremy

October 27th, 2019 at 6:29 PM ^

Why not extend the coaches challenge to include Pass Interference. Challenge that it isn't or it is. If it isn't challenged it isn't reviewed.