I'm on record as being completed against Nebraska's decision to leave the Big XII for the Big Ten, but after tonight's game in College Station, I'm on board and won't look back.
Look, Nebraska's offense was bottled-up by the Aggies in a great atmosphere at Kyle Field.
31,000+ students attended the game, an apparent record and it was the largest crowd in Kyle Field history, that's great.
A&M should be proud of the effort to pack the stadium and create a difficult environment.
But, 16-penalties to 2 and the yardage involved, 140 to 10 is just ridiculous. Nebraska was a marked team on Saturday and no one can convince me otherwise.
If the 'Huskers weren't a marked team then their special teams stud Eric Martin sure was, 2-3 penalties and one of them after a kick that wasn't even returned. It takes about 2-3 seconds for a kicker to blast a ball through the back of the end zone. What can happen in that amount of time to deserve a personal foul?
Eric Martin has been a marked-man since he blindsided the OSU kicker after a touchdown return against Oklahoma State. Martin plays hard and is fearless, and that's what I want in a special teams player.
The officials didn't even throw a penalty against Martin during the return against Oklahoma State, but he was suspended. I'm good with the suspension, but I doubt the conference would ever suspend a UT or A&M player for something similar.
Nebraska deserved a lot of their penalties but two calls in particular should make Commissioner Dan Beebe feel dirty and ashamed.
The personal foul on Nebraska safety Courtney Osborne that led to the game-winning points for the Aggies. The hit wasn't late, it wasn't cheap and it wasn't helmet-to-helmet and he didn't touch Ryan Tannehill's head or helmet.
Why the flag?
And, despite that, Nebraska driving deep into A&M territory right before that and a flag was thrown on an incomplete pass on 3rd down. Any penalty against the defense extends the NU drive and in this case, it would have been 1st and goal. But, the flag was picked-up after a discussion and waved off.
Why throw the flag?
Overall, the Big XII officiating is consistently inconsistent.
Saturday night in College Station it was a complete joke and if the Commissioner is to suspend anyone or fine anyone, he needs to look no further than the crew that officiated the game in question.
Bo Pelini needs to maintain his composure and I know a lot of people will bring that up but how many of you suggesting that could do the same thing? Seriously, don't lie to yourself.
The game should be about the student-athletes, not the coach who has an anger issue or a program who is leaving the conference.
It was so blatant in my opinion that it appeared the Big XII had this message this weekend.
"Hey, Missouri, we know you were the original team who wanted to bolt the conference, but since you didn't have the balls to leave, we'll take it out on the program who did."
How do any of those officials look in the mirror after this one. They can't.
David Smoak
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