The rivalry between LSU and Alabama grows more intense with every match up -including this year's:
“We got robbed - it was typical Alabama,” says Mike Serio, an LSU fan who’s attended 316 consecutive games.
Serio is furious about an interception attempt by Patrick Peterson. Officials ruled it an incomplete pass.
Tiger fans at Serio's Deli have a different call:
“It was a great catch, too. He caught the ball and immediately tucked it under his shoulder. He wasn't bobbling the ball or anything. All you need is one foot in bounds and he had two," says Serio.
Adding to the controversy - Dick Burleson's presence in the instant replay booth. Burleson is an SEC advisor with close ties to Alabama.
Burlseon often speaks to the Alabama booster club, according to his website and wrote about his friend bear bryant in his book - You'd Better Be Right.
The SEC has this to say:
"The specific gentleman in the booth... served as the "communicator" in the ...game, Not the replay official...he is not a graduate of any sec school. Our officiating and replay rules are not for public dissemination."
Amidst expensive new fines for coaches who criticize official calls, LSU’s Les Miles chose these words:
“The officials couldn't see though our players. They couldn’t see through the back of Patrick Peterson.”
Meaning the decision was left to the instant replay booth.
Many purple and gold faithful feel that's not the only crucial call purposefully missed:
“Jefferson was speared by the Alabama player's helmet. There was an obvious face mask on the rush that wasn't called," says Chet Baquie, an LSU fan.
“They want two undefeated teams to go to the championship game. that way one team is guaranteed to go to the BCS Championship," says Serio.
For now, the Tigers are left with another loss - and a bigger score to settle next year.
Full Statement from the SEC:
1- The instant replay booth has three people inside, only one of which is the replay official and has any decision-making authority or role. This person makes the decision on any play under review. This position is not allowed to be a graduate of any of the participating schools in the game, just like the on-field officials. The instant replay official in this game was Gerald Hodges, who is not a graduate of either Alabama or LSU due to this policy.
2- The specific gentleman in the booth you inquired about served as the “communicator” in the Alabama-LSU game, not the replay official, which is clearly outlined on the flip card for the game. However, contrary to some false information out there, he is not a graduate of any SEC school. When he was an on-field official for many years, he was able to officiate any game in the SEC, including LSU and Alabama games, because of that fact.
3- Our officiating and replay rules and manuals are not for public dissemination, however, we do address things such as “the alma-mater” rule and where someone did or did not attend school when necessary to clear up any misunderstandings, which are quite common when an official’s name gets put out there and internet message board rumors begin.
