Miami football alums callout hypocrisy of OSU complaining about officials

Miami football alums and fans called out the hypocrisy and lack of professionalism that Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith and head coach Ryan Day showed by complaining about calls that went against the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl loss to Clemson.

Other than the next national championship by the Miami football program, the loss by Ohio State to Clemson that had a few controversial (correct) calls in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday had social media abuzz over the irony of Ohio State complaining about officiating costing them a win. It was poetic justice happening In Glendale.

Seventeen years ago Ohio State was practically handed a national championship by a delayed pass interference penalty called against the Hurricanes on an incomplete pass that otherwise would have ended the game. Led by the always affable Kelvin Harris the irony was called out by Miami football alums and fans.

Ohio State had a targeting call, a dropped pass in the end zone and a controversial fumble return for a touchdown all go against them because of replay. All three calls seemed pretty clear that replay was correct affirming the three plays in Clemson’s favor. None of the plays came on the last play or were the difference in the game.

Ohio State had to settle for three field goals in three first-half trips into the RedZone. If one of those three is a TD the Buckeyes lead 20-0 instead of 16-0. If two of those three scores enter the endzone Ohio State leads 24-0. If all three result in TDs the Buckeyes would likely have had a 28-0 first-half lead.

The majority of the national media correctly chastised Ohio State athletic director and head coach Gene Smith for their complaining publically about the officials. Harris added to calling out Ohio State to stop crying for the hypocrisy of losing to Clemson. They are not going to give back their dubious trophy from the 2002 season.

The Buckeyes cannot have it both ways. This comes from a program that once had head coach Woody Hayes ironically punch a Clemson player after an interception to clinch a Gator Bowl victory for the Tigers. Hayes complained it would cost him his job. It certainly did for reasons behind how his team played.

Ohio State was fortunate they did not go on probation after former assistant coach Zach Smith was charged with domestic violence. The problems in that program are bigger than blaming the refs for reportedly being biased against them and costing them the game. Ohio State had other opportunities in the second half.

A clear roughing the punter penalty and swiss cheese defense on Clemson’s final drive ended in 14 Tigers points. Trevor Lawrence ran 67-yards for a TD following the roughing the punter penalty. Clemson went 97 yards in four plays late in the game to score the go-ahead touchdown. Two Justin Fields interceptions were costly,

The Ohio State fanbase for football might be one of the most arrogant and whiniest in sports. That was confirmed in the post-game following the Fiesta Bowl loss. Being led by an AD and head coach who won’t take responsibility for the loss by their own players and coaching staff.

The current state of the Miami football program is irrelevant. The unprofessional behavior by Day and Smith doesn’t have anything to do with how the Hurricanes season went. The Miami football alums and fans are still entitled to their opinion. The hypocrisy is from the Ohio State administration, staff and fan base.

Ohio State fans have always had the attitude that they have never lost a game. Its always on the refs or some outside factor. Even after the 2003 Fiesta Bowl win over Miami a false narrative that the refs who gifted them a national championship were against them developed. It’s time for those closest to OSU to take responsibility.