3 terrible calls that screwed Michigan in upset loss to TCU

The Michigan Wolverines lost to the TCU Horned Frogs in the Fiesta Bowl. The loss doesn’t hurt any less, especially with three controversial calls from the officials.

The Michigan Wolverines made it to the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive year after going 13-0 and winning the Big Ten Championship. But, much like the year prior, they were sent home in the CFP semifinal.

Despite scoring 35 points in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl, they were unable to defeat the TCU Horned Frogs, falling 51-45. With this, Michigan’s dreams of winning its first national championship since 1997 will live on for another year, at minimum.

While the second half of the Fiesta Bowl was chaotic fun that saw Michigan come back to life, it’s hard to look over some controversial calls that cost them during the game. Here are three of the calls from the referees that stand out (in no particular order).

Michigan: 3 terrible calls that screwed Wolverines in loss to TCU

3. Missed pass interference

One call that is overshadowed by two other calls (we’ll get to those shortly) occurred in the first quarter. On third-and-four, quarterback J.J. McCarthy attempted a pass to Cornelius Johnson, but it fell incomplete. But, when looking at the play, it looked as though there was some interference on the part of TCU cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.

Michigan punted the ball back to TCU, who scored a touchdown 12 plays later on a one-yard run by quarterback Max Duggan.

2. Roman Wilson’s non-touchdown catch

In the second quarter, Michigan gained possession after Rod Moore picked off a pass from Duggan. On the very next play, McCarthy seemingly connected with wide receiver for a 50-yard touchdown pass. It sure looked like it, but the on-field officials saw otherwise.

The officials ruled that Wilson was down at the one-yard line. While he does make contact at the one-yard line, he didn’t have possession of the football. Wilson had possession of the football as he fell into the end zone.

This call turned out to be costly, as running back Kalel Mullins fumbled the football on the very next play, allowing TCU to get the football back.

The internet was completely confused by the call, and this could absolutely be considered a costly call by the officials, considering Michigan lost by six.

1. Missed targeting call on final drive

This was a call that stuck with viewers, considering it happened in the closing seconds of the Fiesta Bowl.

On the fourth down call by Michigan, quarterback J.J. McCarthy fumbled the snap and it led to quite the chaotic sequence of events. After a couple of lateral passes, the football ended up in possession of tight end Colston Loveland. As he was getting pulled to the field, Loveland was hit in the back of the head by the crown of cornerback Kee’Yon Stewart’s helmet.

It looked like a targeting call, and it would have given Michigan another shot to win the game. But, the officials ruled that it wasn’t targeting after a review.

Just take a look at this reaction from a Michigan fan.

This is why college football fans don’t know what targeting is, considering the call is becoming subjective to the opinion of the officials.

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