Tony’s Take | Catch | Eliminated | Vegas | Super 6 + 1 | Edition 120 

By Tony Duckworth, [email protected]

Catch.  Why is a touchdown much easier to rule on than a pass completion?  There are multiple scenarios in which a play can be ruled a touchdown, but in its simplest form, the ball only needs to cross the “plane” of the goal line to be ruled a score.  A player can be in the air with his feet or other body parts airborne and out of bounds, but if the ball touches the imaginary plane, it is ruled a touchdown. 

Knowing how “easy” it is for a score to be ruled a touchdown, why does a catch have to be so complicated with so many steps for the play to be ruled a completion?  As a Cowboys fan, I am still haunted by the catch ruled an incompletion that Dez had from Romo against the Packers to end the Cowboys’ march to the NFC Championship game in 2015.  This past weekend Miami scored what appeared to be a game-tying touchdown pass late against Notre Dame, only to be ruled incomplete despite having both feet in bounds with possession of the ball.  The incompletion was ruled based on the receiver not completing the process of the catch as the Irish defender knocked the ball out of his hands.  

In its simplest form, few can argue the first two elements that determine if a pass is complete.  A player’s foot (college), or feet (NFL) must be inbounds, and the players must have clear possession of the ball in their hands or arms.  That’s it … those two elements is all that should be required for a catch to be ruled a completion.  How many times have you watched a game where the player is in bounds with control of the ball that crossed the goal line plane but then the ball is knocked loose, but the play is granted a touchdown?  This has occurred countless times, so why does a catch require a third step? 

The third step includes sustained control, or a football act, is required for the process of the play to be ruled a completion.  I’m not a football official, but I’m certain you wouldn’t have to look far to find that removing the extra burden of proof would be welcomed.  Imagine if runners fall to the ground and the ball pops out, and this is ruled as a fumble?  Why does a receiver have to maintain control and “survive the ground” during a catch?    

The third step creates controversy and turns the focus on one play that is over-officiated due to the rules taking focus from the game.  Without question, rules favor the offense so more points are scored to create greater fan engagement.  This rule clearly favors the defense and needs to be changed.  

Eliminated.  Do you remember the conversations about the CFP expanding to twelve teams and how this would dilute the regular season?  Think about last weekend where Notre Dame faced elimination had they dropped the game to Miami, and this would have only been their second loss.  This argument was based on the lack of strength of schedule.   

The way the season is playing out, there is a strong likelihood that two and possibly three teams with three losses will receive a berth into the CFP.  Bama potentially ended LSU’s hopes for entry into the tournament, handing the Fighting Kiffin’s their third loss.  UGA blowout victory on the road over Ole’ Miss did the same.  Ohio State and Mizzou fell over the weekend as well. 

It is difficult to say if any of the current three-loss Blue Bloods will earn an entry into the CFP.  Currently, Louisville, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, and Mizzou are likely candidates if they can run the table. 

You can count on elimination games continuing during week 11 thus making the dilution of the regular season argument moot.    

Vegas.  UGA, Notre Dame, BAMA, and Miami are currently the likely final four teams to make the CFP semi-finals.  As of today, I believe the Dawgs are the most complete and best team in CFB.  The upcoming weeks are going to be great for fans.  

Super 6 + 1.  #22 Mizzou @ #1 UGA | #2 UTAH @ #23 Arizona | #18 usc @ #9 INDIANA | GA SOUTH’N @ GA State | AUBURN @ MS State | #6 Texas @ # 21 LSU | #12 TX Tech @ #25 OK STATE | Record 40 – 23 

Tony Duckworth is a Macon native and President and CEO of the Albany Area YMCA. Tony worked in intercollegiate athletics for thirty-one years. He served as an NCAA Division II Director of Athletics at three universities after ten years as head men’s basketball coach at two colleges. eMail Tony Duckworth at [email protected].