National Championship Game referees: Officiating crew for Georgia vs TCU

Who are the National Championship Game referees and what can Georgia and TCU expect from the officiating crew as they battle for the title?

No one wants to think about it, but the National Championship Game between Georgia and TCU will be impacted by the referees calling the game.

Whether they call a perfect game or miss a critical call, the officials will play a role in the outcome. Fans can only hope their role is in faithfully applying the rule book without giving either side an advantage.

This year, the title game will be officiated by a crew from the ACC. Here are the names you need to know:

National Championship Game referees: ACC officiating crew for Georgia vs TCU

• Referee: Jeff Heaser
• Umpire: Jim Eckl
• Head Linesman: Brian Perry
• Line Judge: Brian Sakowski
• Field Judge: Kip Johnson
• Side Judge: Jamal Shears
• Back Judge: Pat Ryan
• Center Judge: Larry Hayes
• Replay official: Mark McAnaney
• Replay Communicator: Steve McBride
• Alternate Official: Jerry Magallanes

This is Heaser’s first time presiding over a national title game, but it’s not his first rodeo in the College Football Playoff, nor is it first time refing a game involving the Bulldogs. He was the head referee in 2018 when Georgia and Oklahoma faced off in an epic Rose Bowl semifinal.

The good news? That game was not a penalty-fest. The two teams combined for just seven penalties.

The bad news for Georgia? The Bulldogs accounted for six of those for 39 yards. The Sooners had one penalty for five yards.

With such a small amount of penalties, that lopsided total was hardly a major issue. Besides, Georgia won the game, 54-48, advancing to the CFP championship game against Alabama.