Crimson Red Sports

After watching Vandy get penalized last night, when a Vandy DB smacked a USC player just as the ball arrived, I couldn't help wondering how long before Vinnie gets a penalty this year.

The Vandy hit seemed legit, but ruled too high (head to head).  The refs are supposed to watch for those hits this year.

If Michigan benefits from a hit like that Saturday night, I may come unglued, especially if it's just a hard hit - not the damaging head-to-head smacks.  The replay of the Vandy hit showed it wasn't made on a "defenseless player"; rather, the player was catching the ball (and caught it).  I don't want anybody injured, but THAT'S FOOTBALL.  The Vandy player was playing the ball.

Just IMHO.

I agree with you, it is just another can of "opinionation" from the refs which can change the outcome of a game easily.

I thought the Vandy play was something that already has been penalized for the past few years.

No, my memory of the rule is that players who are defenseless (such as one exposed after an overthrown pass) can't be hit.  But this guy from Vandy hit the receiver as the ball arrived, and seemed to be aiming at the ball (to knock it loose).  He did not aim at the head, it seemed.  The receiver lowered his head slightly, but I think it was the headgear flying off that resulted in the penalty.  That's not right!

We won't have a problem with it. This rule has been in place for a couple of years now and Bama hasn't really had a problem with it. Our guys are taught proper technique and don't have to resort to stupid stunts like the guy from Vandy. As the announcers pointed out, he was called because he left his feet and launched himself at the USC player. They are going to call that every time. As I said, Bama is taught proper technique, and they don't have to leave their feet to make a big hit. Vinnie and the rest are smart kids and they know how to do it the right way and not get stupid penalties.