BIRMINGHAM, AL – Following LSU’s latest victory in its ongoing eligibility fight with the conference, SEC officials announced Friday that every remaining Tigers game will be officiated exclusively by referees who graduated from Alabama.
Conference officials stressed the move was not retaliation, calling it a “routine administrative adjustment” that coincidentally took effect approximately 11 minutes after the Baton Rouge judge’s ruling.
“We respect the judge’s decision,” an SEC spokesman said. “We just hope LSU respects ours when that touchdown comes back.”
Tiger fans are being advised to prepare for an unusually strict interpretation of holding, targeting and whatever rule becomes necessary during the fourth quarter.
LSU coach Lane Kiffin said he wasn’t concerned, but acknowledged the Tigers have spent most of practice preparing for 3rd and 37.
The SEC denied allegations of favoritism, noting that all replay reviews will continue to be handled impartially from conference headquarters in Birmingham.
