However I wanted to point out an alternative take to yours.

You are probably unhappy at the amount of backlash that this past week’s game has caused towards your team. As a result I don’t think that you are seeing the alleged “conspiracy” in the same light as those that are claiming it exists or throwing it out as a possibility.

I may be wrong on this, but its my understanding that people are concerned that there might be a conspiracy to protect the “hot” team(s) each year. Every year there seems to be one or two teams who established themselves in the past year or two as a frontrunner for the title that year. The past few years it has been Florida & Alabama. LSU, Georgia, and Auburn have also been those teams this decade. In the late 90s it was Tennessee. They aren’t necessarily letting everyone have a go but teams are taking their turns depending on the talent they have and how their coach controls that talent.

It is the years in which their are two hot teams that I think people are concerned about a possible conspiracy. If Florida had lost this past weekend and then had lost to Alabama in the SEC Title game then there is a possibility that they might not go to a BCS Bowl game. If, however, both teams are undefeated when they face each other in the title game then it is a near certainty that the loser is going to a BCS game anyways. The SEC is guaranteed one team in a BCS game every year, but getting two into BCS games is the ultimate goal, and the only way that happens if is one team is playing for the National Title.

Now then, look at the amount of money that is up for grabs if they do get a second team into a BCS game: $18,000,000.

Let’s say that Arkansas’ loss this weekend resulted in them going to the Independence Bowl instead of the Cotton Bowl. That means that the payout is $1.9 million less. Guess what? Another SEC team is taking their place in the Cotton Bowl so no money is actually lost. And any money that is lost by a team not qualifying is minimal compared to the $18 million that is gained by having a team in that second BCS game.

I want to reiterate that I do not believe that a conspiracy is in place. I wanted to point out that the incentive does actually exist if you think of in terms of getting that second team (regardless of who it is) into the BCS games.

I think that the primary reason that those in charge of the SEC would not conspire to rig the games is that the risk greater than the reward. Yes there is a ton of money at stake. But you have to keep a lot of people happy with a lot of money; the higher ups, the referees, the middle men between the two. Plus the bowl game money is split between the schools so there would have to be people in place to reap the rewards of that money, otherwise you’re not really accomplishing anything. If, however, one person comes out, then everything comes crashing down and there is no doubt that the fallout would devastate the league. Possibilities that come to mind as punishment range from losing BCS status to being forced to disband by the government ala Ma Bell in the 1980s. And let’s face it, there is too much of a good thing going right now to risk whatever punishment might result.

SEC officiating crew suspended after Arkansas-Florida game

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The officiating crew from Saturday’s Arkansas at Florida football game will be removed from its next scheduled assignment on Oct. 31 and will not be assigned to officiate as a crew until Nov. 14, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive announced Wednesday.

"A series of calls that have occurred during the last several weeks have not been to the standard that we expect from our officiating crews," said Slive. "I believe our officiating program is the best in the country, however, there are times when these actions must be taken."

Following each weekend, the conference office reviews games from the previous week, using video replays as well as interviews with officials, coaches and administrators.

"While only a few calls have been identified, the entire crew shoulders responsibility for each play. I have taken this action because there must be accountability in our officiating program," added Slive. "Our institutions expect the highest level of officiating in all of our sports and it is the duty of the conference office to uphold that expectation."

In addition, there will be an impact on eligibility for post-season bowl assignments for the crew.

Information for this article was provided by the SEC.

Take off the orange and blue sunglasses and see the world as it is. Arkansas had plenty of chances to win the game, for sure, but the officiating was a huge factor and should not have been so.