What will the ND/Clemson rematch look like from the outside world?
#1. Watch the ACC referees during the game. They will likely be making calls ALL in favor of Clemson. Why???? Because the ACC has a shot at getting 2 teams into the playoff and that DOUBLES the $$$$$ to the conference. But that chance is predicated upon Clemson beating ND. If ND beats Clemson, ND will be the ONLY team to make the playoff from the ACC. Thus, EVERY call will go for Clemson (pass interference will not be called on Clemson and will be called against ND, holding calls will be made whenever ND makes a play so it will be called back, the replay booth will give every edge to Clemson, ND needs to be very careful on targeting plays, etc.). There is not one referee in the ACC that wants to be the one that makes a call against Clemson that causes Clemson to lose and that will keep Clemson out of the playoff and allow close to $20m to go down the drain for the ACC. This puts ND in a precarious position I am sorry to say. We see this behavior of the refs EVERY year late in the season, giving the advantage to conference teams that have a shot at the big money bowl games and the playoff. ND will face it on the 19th. It only makes sense for the NCAA to go to a central referee commissioner like the NFL instead of conference affiliated referees. That would predominantly eliminate these conference bias calls.
#2. Many outside people (especially Ohio State fans, Texas A&M fans, Florida fans, Cincinnati fans, Big 10 fans, SEC fans, etc) will all be cheering for ND. If ND wins, Clemson will be out and that opens up a slot in the top 4 for teams like a 2nd SEC team, Ohio State (even if they have not played enough games to make the Big 10 championship game), Cincinnati if they stay undefeated etc ALL have a shot at making the playoff. If Clemson wins, there is a chance that both ND and Clemson make the playoff and with Alabama a lock, that leaves only one slot open. Flaws such as Ohio State not playing in the conference championship game since they will not have played enough games, Florida as a 2nd SEC team, Alabama if Florida beats them in the SEC Conference Championship game, ALL run the risk of being left out. So for one of the FEW times in our history, many people that normally HATE ND, will be cheering for ND to win.
#1. Watch the ACC referees during the game. They will likely be making calls ALL in favor of Clemson. Why???? Because the ACC has a shot at getting 2 teams into the playoff and that DOUBLES the $$$$$ to the conference. But that chance is predicated upon Clemson beating ND. If ND beats Clemson, ND will be the ONLY team to make the playoff from the ACC. Thus, EVERY call will go for Clemson (pass interference will not be called on Clemson and will be called against ND, holding calls will be made whenever ND makes a play so it will be called back, the replay booth will give every edge to Clemson, ND needs to be very careful on targeting plays, etc.). There is not one referee in the ACC that wants to be the one that makes a call against Clemson that causes Clemson to lose and that will keep Clemson out of the playoff and allow close to $20m to go down the drain for the ACC. This puts ND in a precarious position I am sorry to say. We see this behavior of the refs EVERY year late in the season, giving the advantage to conference teams that have a shot at the big money bowl games and the playoff. ND will face it on the 19th. It only makes sense for the NCAA to go to a central referee commissioner like the NFL instead of conference affiliated referees. That would predominantly eliminate these conference bias calls.
#2. Many outside people (especially Ohio State fans, Texas A&M fans, Florida fans, Cincinnati fans, Big 10 fans, SEC fans, etc) will all be cheering for ND. If ND wins, Clemson will be out and that opens up a slot in the top 4 for teams like a 2nd SEC team, Ohio State (even if they have not played enough games to make the Big 10 championship game), Cincinnati if they stay undefeated etc ALL have a shot at making the playoff. If Clemson wins, there is a chance that both ND and Clemson make the playoff and with Alabama a lock, that leaves only one slot open. Flaws such as Ohio State not playing in the conference championship game since they will not have played enough games, Florida as a 2nd SEC team, Alabama if Florida beats them in the SEC Conference Championship game, ALL run the risk of being left out. So for one of the FEW times in our history, many people that normally HATE ND, will be cheering for ND to win.
