The Oklahoma Sooners’ thrilling victory over Alabama on Saturday night was overshadowed by a controversial penalty call that initially sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. The play in question involved an illegal formation penalty that nullified a potential touchdown for the Crimson Tide.
While the initial reaction from many was disbelief, further analysis has confirmed that the penalty was correctly called. The illegal formation occurred when the ball was snapped, and the subsequent pass attempt made the penalty even more significant.
The confusion, in my opinion, stems from the official incorrectly labeling the penalty as “illegal touching” and not offering a full explanation. The formation is illegal. There’s no denying that. Look at the photo at the top of the post and tell me where the topside receiver is? If this were a run play, then everything would be good. However, the moment the pass is thrown, it becomes a penalty, which is why the flag came out late.
The labeling of the penalty is the issue. It’s entirely possible that you can have an illegal formation that also results in an illegal touching and the loss of down. If that’s not the case, then Alabama should have had an opportunity to convert on fourth down because the illegal formation penalty does not result in a loss of down. This is where a better explanation from the official would have been beneficial. However, either way, the touchdown would not have stood.
Despite the controversy, Oklahoma’s dominant performance against Alabama was undeniable. The Sooners’ defense stifled the Crimson Tide’s high-powered offense, while the offense, led by a strong running game, controlled the tempo of the game. This victory showcased the potential of the Sooners’ program and provided a glimpse of the future under Brent Venables.
The game also highlighted the importance of a balanced offensive approach. By emphasizing the running game and limiting turnovers, Oklahoma was able to keep Alabama’s offense off the field and control the clock. This strategy proved to be effective, as the Sooners were able to wear down the Crimson Tide’s defense and secure a crucial victory.
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But the referee that throws the flag throws it downfield at one of the receivers at the bottom of the photo. Also, illegal touching results in a loss of down while illegal formation allows another 4th down. Overall, it doesn’t change the result of the game and Oklahoma’s dominant performance but it did put the final nail in Alabama’s coffin.
In this picture, in addition to the left tight end, the two tackles, two guards and the center all clearly and legally lined up on the line of scrimmage, there are three offensive players wide right: the center player of these three is on the line of scrimmage and is the outside player on the right side of the line and is not covered because there is no other player to his right that is on the line of scrimmage, and therefore, by rule, he is an eligible receiver; the other two players are in the ‘backfield’ and thus, are also eligible receivers. Giving this NCAA college football formation, how can an illegal formation and illegal touching penalties be called and enforced?
Based on the description and the provided image:
1. Line of Scrimmage Formation:
• From your explanation, there are five offensive linemen (center, two guards, two tackles) plus a tight end, all clearly on the line of scrimmage. This satisfies the NCAA rule requiring at least seven players on the line of scrimmage at the snap.
• The player you described as the “center player” in the wide-right group is positioned as the outside player on the right side of the line. Since no other player is lined up on the line of scrimmage outside of him, he is uncovered and therefore eligible to receive a forward pass.
2. Backfield Players:
• The other two wide-right players are positioned in the backfield (off the line of scrimmage), making them eligible receivers as long as there aren’t more than four total players in the backfield, which seems consistent with the rules here.
Why Were the Penalties Called?
For the officials to enforce both illegal formation and illegal touching, they must have judged that:
1. Illegal Formation:
• They may have determined that there were fewer than seven players on the line of scrimmage. This could happen if they counted one or more players (e.g., the tight end or the “center player” wide right) as being in the backfield instead of on the line. However, the image and your explanation suggest that the “center player” was indeed on the line, making this an incorrect ruling.
2. Illegal Touching:
• This penalty is usually tied to a judgment that the player who caught the pass was ineligible (e.g., a covered receiver or lineman). The officials may have incorrectly ruled the “center player” wide right as being covered by one of the backfield players, which would render him ineligible. Again, based on your description, this appears to be a misinterpretation of the formation.
Challenges to the Penalty:
• If the “center player” wide right is uncovered and the other two players are in the backfield, all three should be eligible receivers under NCAA rules.
• The officials may have misinterpreted the alignment due to the complexity of the formation or their positioning on the field.
• Without additional context (e.g., video evidence, official rulings), these penalties appear to have been erroneously enforced based on your description and the image provided.
In this case, Alabama would have grounds to challenge the officiating decision, as the described formation complies with NCAA eligibility rules.
You mentioned the ‘missing’ topside receiver, most likely referring to a left TE or WR, being the justification for an illegal formation penalty. I suspect that maybe you are new to NCAA college football because there is no rule stating which side of the center linemen must be positioned, only that there must be 7 players on the line of scrimmage and only the outside players are eligible receivers, in addition to the backfield players. Williams was the farthest player on the right end of the line of scrimmage and therefore, by rule, was eligible to receive a forward pass. The wideout players next to him were each at least a yard off the line of scrimmage (look at the picture carefully as it is very clear and beyond question) and therefore, by definition, were not ‘covering’ him and were also eligible themselves as backfield players.
Any questions?
No one can know how, if at all, that may have changed the game. Two facts are that: the touchdown would have made it a two-play game and of course, a TD score affects the attitudes and confidence of the team. Bottom line, officials need to be honest and professional and use the provided tool (replay) to correct mistakes.