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Missed Targeting
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:03 pm
I couldn’t give less of a shite about either team who played today, but I do like good football. This game was seemingly impacted by what I perceived to be a pretty fricking obvious targeting at the goal line with less than a minute left. Per ChatGPT all conditions for targeting were met:
Key rule (NCAA Rule 9-1-3)
It is illegal for a player to make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless player.
A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass is explicitly defined as a defenseless player from the moment he starts his attempt until he has time to protect himself or becomes a runner.
What makes it a foul
All of the following matter:
• Defenseless status (receiver in the act of catching)
• Forcible contact
• Contact to the head or neck area
• Initiated by the defender (regardless of helmet use)
If those elements are present, it is targeting, even if:
• The defender did not “lead with the helmet”
• The contact was with a shoulder, forearm, or helmet
• The defender claims it was incidental
Key rule (NCAA Rule 9-1-3)
It is illegal for a player to make forcible contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless player.
A receiver attempting to catch a forward pass is explicitly defined as a defenseless player from the moment he starts his attempt until he has time to protect himself or becomes a runner.
What makes it a foul
All of the following matter:
• Defenseless status (receiver in the act of catching)
• Forcible contact
• Contact to the head or neck area
• Initiated by the defender (regardless of helmet use)
If those elements are present, it is targeting, even if:
• The defender did not “lead with the helmet”
• The contact was with a shoulder, forearm, or helmet
• The defender claims it was incidental
12
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:03 pm to mmmmmbeeer
Kinda just makes it funnier.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:04 pm to mmmmmbeeer
Multiple missed targeting call, as well as several punches thrown. Miami is a very dirty team
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:05 pm to mmmmmbeeer
I seen it as a makeup non-call for the Reed Flop.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:07 pm to EastTXHorn
quote:
seen it as a makeup non-call for the Reed Flop.
Yes, that was a really weak RTP call. Hell of a time to make up for it if that’s what they were doing.
Worse is there were two players hurt so the booth had ample opportunity to review the targeting.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:08 pm to mmmmmbeeer
quote:
Forcible contact
Incidental.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:08 pm to mmmmmbeeer
I thought the same thing and I’m usually arguing in favor of not calling it since a lot of the time the offensive player ducks his head also. But that was pretty obviously a foul on the defense.
Found it odd that the refs throw the flag out of instinct most of the time, but let it go when actually is targeting by rule.
Found it odd that the refs throw the flag out of instinct most of the time, but let it go when actually is targeting by rule.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:08 pm to mmmmmbeeer
This conference has gotten too soft when fans want a targeting call in crunch time. Stop being baby back bitches.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:10 pm to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Incidental
Yeah, I guess that’s why they didn’t call it but it sure as shite looked forcible to me. He led with his head and knocked himself the frick out. Not much incidental about that.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:11 pm to DeathByTossDive225
LSU thinking they’re relevant is funny
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:11 pm to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Incidental
Was he incidentally making a tackle?
Looks like he was forcefully trying to make a tackle and knock the ball loose.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:12 pm to mmmmmbeeer
quote:
But he was, so why wasn’t it targeting?
Without getting into anything else the easy answer is because refs who have been conditioned to throw a flag for targeting for any hit even close to running afoul of the rule didn't throw a flag here. Refs are flag happy they will throw one for targeting then go to replay 99/100 times.
The long answer is it wasn't targeting is because, according to the SEC website, "Targeting' means that a player takes aim at an opponent for purposes of attacking with forcible contact that goes beyond making a legal tackle or a legal block or playing the ball.”" LINK
I'm not going to quote the entire website but please look at the actual rule and the replay and tell me where it was targeting based on the play
This post was edited on 12/20/25 at 3:13 pm
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:12 pm to ScotlandAve
quote:
This conference has gotten too soft when fans want a targeting call in crunch time. Stop being baby back bitches.
People got hurt, dude. frick your “crunch time.”
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:12 pm to mmmmmbeeer
Targeting has never been consistent. I’ve seen worse hits not called targeting and I’ve seen lesser hits called targeting.
Texas A&M lost because their offense sucked eggs through a straw all game on their own field. The only reason the game was even within reach was because the Miami kicker missed 3 FGs in heavy wind. And it was a no-call at that. Not a phantom hold that killed a drive. Then Marcel Reed throws a pick the very next play.
Plus, Texas A&M already got a 15-yard penalty earlier in the drive for a late hit where Marcel Reed flopped looking right at the ref. It’s a valid complaint though if the only way you can possibly score is if you get reffed down the whole field.
Texas A&M lost because their offense sucked eggs through a straw all game on their own field. The only reason the game was even within reach was because the Miami kicker missed 3 FGs in heavy wind. And it was a no-call at that. Not a phantom hold that killed a drive. Then Marcel Reed throws a pick the very next play.
Plus, Texas A&M already got a 15-yard penalty earlier in the drive for a late hit where Marcel Reed flopped looking right at the ref. It’s a valid complaint though if the only way you can possibly score is if you get reffed down the whole field.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:13 pm to RTRnFlorida
quote:
LSU thinking they’re relevant is funny
Rent free. Just here laughing at Aggie.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:13 pm to mmmmmbeeer
aggy didn’t deserve to win
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:13 pm to RTRnFlorida
quote:
LSU thinking they’re relevant is funny
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:13 pm to mmmmmbeeer
quote:
guess that’s why they didn’t call it but it sure as shite looked forcible to me
Early in the game, maybe. You don't want officials deciding a game on a marginal call.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:14 pm to ScotlandAve
quote:
This conference has gotten too soft when fans want a targeting call in crunch time. Stop being baby back bitches.
Your feelings are irrelevant. If it’s a rule on the books then A&M has a gripe.
Posted on 12/20/25 at 3:16 pm to RogerTheShrubber
quote:
Early in the game, maybe. You don't want officials deciding a game on a marginal call
People complain about the targeting rule then complain when targeting isn't called. Be consistent. The targeting rule shouldn't exist. I don't think it was a missed targeting call, by the actual rule, but even if it was I don't care because the rule shouldn't exist to begin with outside of legitimate head hunting away that has nothing to do with the play. That was a defensive play in which the Miami player put his body on the line to force an incompletion and was not egregious or trying to hurt somebody. Stop pussifying football.
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