Pac-10 Has Yet to Do Anything to Fix Its Officiating Problem

Over the past few years, the Pac-10 officiating has been nothing short of mediocre. It will continue to be called out by media outlets until it does something about it.

So far, there hasn't been any action against a horrendous call in BYU's 28-27 victory over Washington Saturday, in which the Huskies were penalized 15 yards when quarterback Jake Locker threw the ball in the air after scoring with two seconds left. Even if it didn't affect the final score, it would have been something to discuss, but the Cougars blocked the Washington extra-point attempt, and that may not have happened otherwise.

Yes, ESPN went overboard and didn't really present the facts of Locker's action into the appropriate context, but it still deserves to get this much attention. Otherwise, you'll continue to see such garbage calls as the one called in the BYU-Washington game.

The Pac-10 needs to grow something. It's time for the media and fans of every team in the Pac-10 to get on board and start a fire underneath commisioner Thomas C. Hansen. Otherwise there could me more calls like the one called against Locker.

Dave Cutaia, who is the director of the officials, needs to put out an apology to Locker, Tyrone Willingham, and the Washington fans who had to witness that call.

He also needs to take it upon himself and reevaulate the rule. The rule was put into place so when players celebrate they do not do anything that would upset the opposition as in taunting, celebrating for way too long, spiking the ball at an opposing player's feet, tossing the ball into the crowd, etc.

If a player ends up celebrating with teammates as soon as the play is done, then there shouldn't be any penalty. It also should give the official the right to make a judgement call on the play what was the intent of the player? Was it to show the other team up? Was it some sort of taunt? Was he tossing the ball up in a moment of pure joy? Was the ball tossed into the crowd?

The answer is it is as plain as day that this rule needs to be changed. Today there should have been an announcement by Cutaia and Hansen explaining that the rule is being rewritten. They should have also sent an e-mail to all the coaches in the Pac-10 explaining that it has been changed, so a call like the one made on Locker never happens again.