Big 12 referee allegedly unprofessional for taunting Utah fans

The Utes haven't had the best season in Salt Lake City

Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Big 12 Conference found itself embroiled in controversy after Utah’s narrow loss to Iowa State, with the focus shifting from the players on the field to the officials tasked with overseeing the game. The officiating not only raised eyebrows but outright frustration among Utah fans, many of whom were already disgruntled after earlier controversies this season, including a costly $40K fine for athletic director Mark Harlan following the Holy War loss to BYU.

Saturday’s game against Iowa State only fueled the fire, with accusations of bias and unprofessionalism taking center stage. A glaring statistic stood out in the close loss. Iowa State went nearly the entire game without a single penalty being called against them, a rarity in college football and especially suspicious in a competitive matchup. Adding to the controversy, Utah quarterback Isaac Wilson’s season-ending injury came on a hit that many felt warranted a penalty but went uncalled. Utah fans, already frustrated by the officiating inconsistencies, pointed to this as evidence of favoritism toward Iowa State. To further that point, an official was caught taunting Utes fans during the game.

In all my years, I can’t think of a time I’ve seen a ref get into it with the crowd. This is insane. @BartleKSLsports @Samsworth_TV @SSylvester55 @JFurKSL @BodkinIsABoss @Joshua_Newman @Larsen_ESPN pic.twitter.com/qvfhqtncKi

— christian judd (@christianmjudd) November 24, 2024

Refs egging on fans during a time out of a live game is WILD!!!! Embarrassing by the Big12 pic.twitter.com/FgFCPk87wf

— Matthew J (@jenson23matt) November 24, 2024

The broader implications of the Big 12’s officiating come into focus when considering the conference’s potential College Football Playoff prospects. With no Big 12 team currently projected in the Playoff rankings, ensuring a strong representative is crucial for the conference's reputation and financial stakes. Iowa State’s win over Utah, a team now eliminated from postseason contention for the first time in over a decade, seemed to bolster the Cyclones’ standing at a suspiciously convenient time. While there is no concrete evidence of a fix, the perception of bias has taken hold among fans.

This isn’t an isolated incident for the Big 12. Similar frustrations arose following Colorado’s loss to Kansas, where questionable officiating led to dangerous situations on the field. Shedeur Sanders endured a late hit below the knees, which was ignored, and a Kansas defender’s shove of an official went unpunished. These incidents have drawn criticism for allowing games to spiral out of control without proper enforcement.

The Big 12 must address these concerns head-on. Accountability for officials and transparent officiating standards are essential to maintain the conference's integrity. Without significant changes, accusations of bias and unprofessionalism will continue to overshadow the on-field performances. Utah now looks ahead to its next challenge, a road game against UCF at the Bounce House, hoping for a cleaner contest at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.