FOOTBALL: The Internet Analysts Are Out On Message Boards

BIG RAPIDS - Not everyone shares the amusement I get as I check out some Internet message boards, including the one at D2football.com.

I was eager to check out what the fan "analysis" would be with respect to the hard-fought football game between Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University, the No. 1-ranked Division II team in the nation. So, my first thought that people would give credit to the Lakers for going on the road and winning a highly-contested battle in the Anchor-Bone Classic at Top Taggart Field in Big Rapids. I anticipated comments about Ferris coming out to play, competing hard for four quarters and putting themselves in a position to have a chance to win it in the end.

But, those high hopes went up in a puff of smoke as much of the analysis (at least the early returns) were a few fans crying about officiating and a punch of petty stuff that had virtually nothing to do with who won or who lost the game.

Here is one comment:

A closer-than-expected win for the lakers. Officiating was horrid. Seriously, the GLIAC should be ashamed of itself for putting such a horrible crew out on the field. Several blown calls, including an illegal forward pass that led to the tying touchdown (unless QB's are allowed to throw the ball when they're two yards past the line of scrimmage now). Lakers really hunkered down in the fourth quarter and shut Ferris State down.

Response: I have been critical of GLIAC football officiating a few times over the years, but I do think that the game was decently officiating. I saw nothing "horrible" from the officials (although a few whiner fans are turning this call into a Watergate-like conspiracy. I thought the controversial forward pass call was a close one, but apparently it's easier to see the call from the bleachers and the press box than it is down on the field. One call here and there that is controversial is not a big thing as far as being critical of officiating. This poster added another cheap shot that was just petty and stupid. Of course, it's always easier to be critical when you're anonymous.

Another comment:

I dont want to start any crap, because believe me people who whine about blown calls anoy me to death, but I was even with the line of scrimmage on that play and the Ferris QB was easily a yard and a half over the line when he threw the ball. In truth I'm pretty sure his front foot hit before the ball was released which would have put him 3ish yards beyond the line of scrimmage. Theres no way to talk about the incident without calling it a horrible horrible call. Between that and the no call pass interference in the end zone it should have been 17-3 late instead of 10-10. GV didn't shine last night, but I think the score is quite deceptive to what actually was happening. People are going to say we were sleeping when honestly outside of Ferris being very tough between the tackles last night I don't think Grand Valley played a bad game at all.

Response: I would imagine the linesman was right there for the call, too, and saw it differently. More complaining about the officiating on this one call. But, I give this poster some credit for bringing the game back to what matters most: the players and the coaches. Those are the people who were responsible for the game's outcome. Both teams played hard and have something to be proud of. GVSU came on the road and had to grind out a tough win from a Ferris team that came out with some new wrinkles, played hard from start to finish and had a chance to win it and/or tie it late in the game.

Another comment:

I also disagree. I will give up on arguing over holds and interference calls. When you miss things like an illegal forward pass - that I think most feel it was; whether it is a yard or 3 yards - is just too blatant of a miss. The whole point of a pressure defense is not to get sacks, but to make mistakes happen. When there is supposed to be an official who basically has a main job of focusing on this happening then do it! Holding - there are too many people to catch it all. Pass interference - happens to fast at times and sometimes a judgment call. Illegal forward pass - should get caught if indeed it is as blatant as most make it seem.

Either way, great win for the Lakers, hopefully a wake up call. But most importantly, good game OVERALL by the Ferris. I want to make sure I give them credit - not their fault if the officiating is a bit weak.

Response: Interesting comment in here is "if indeed it is as blatant as most people make it seem." I wonder if this person even saw the play before criticizing the officiating as being "a bit weak." It seems that a few fans were very much preoccupied by this one play in a game that had as many plays as the one many of us saw Saturday night. Calls go both ways and there are people, as one poster on D2football.com said, who believe that there are things GVSU gets away with. But, in the end, it comes down to the players making plays on the field and the Lakers made a few more key plays than Ferris did and won the game.

I love checking out these message boards as some of the comments on there really make you think about a lot of things (some good and some bad). Obviously, no one should rush to judge other schools too much based on what a few anonymous fans have to say on an Internet message board. But, such boards do create a level of excitement (whether real or manufactured) related to the action on the field.

Photo taken by Ed Hyde

D2Football.com:
http://www.d2messageboard.com/showthread.php?t=25094