It was prevalent in the aftermath of their Week 7 victory over Arkansas, and it reared its ugly head during last night’s 31-20 win over Ole Miss. The phantom Auburn football refereeing advantage talk is back.
And it doesn’t hold a milliliter of water.
Auburn was wire-to-wire dominant under the Jordan-Hare Stadium lights, flashing proficiency offensively with a 22/30 passing, three all-purpose TD Bo Nix night, and a 140-yard (w/ a rushing TD) rushing performance from Tank Bigsby.
Derek Mason’s defense kept Matt Corral and the Rebels offense to just 20 points despite 464 yards of offense. Lane Kiffin’s gutsy fourth-down calls against a physical defensive front led by Zakoby McClain (10 tackles, four assisted, two sacks) were often Ole Miss’ undoing.
Jaylin Simpson’s INT of Corral in the Auburn end zone with 9:26 left in the fourth quarter was the needed dagger that put down the Rebels for god.
Of course, accountability wasn’t sought by all of the members of the Ole Miss fanbase. Just like what has become customary with Arkansas fans, the ol’ referee rhetoric was recklessly thrown out to explain away the loss:
Ole Miss is called for OPI and the closest official doesn’t call anything.
— Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) October 31, 2021
The Ole Miss WR puts his hand on the defender.
It’s laughable at this point. pic.twitter.com/c4wQp1iovK
Yet another example of bias from @SECOfficiating_ benefiting Auburn. Ref 5 feet away says no foul. Ref under the goal post throws flag against Ole Miss. I’m sure @GregSankey couldn’t care less. Maybe @SEC_Chuck will chime in to tell us why it’ll never change. https://t.co/LAJdg2RZ8E
— getalab (@getalab) October 31, 2021
And there the Auburn family was to shut that down:
So are Miss fans gonna complain about this for a year? If your coach would just kick FGs when he should you probably would have won
— Zach (@SouthernguyAL) October 31, 2021
It is always laughable for a receiver to push and create separation then not get called for the right call.... oh wait .... no it is not... definite Offensive PI and it is textbook....
— Tiger3P 🏴☠️ (@Tiger3P) October 31, 2021
The video exonerates the official who threw the flag.
— Creed Jordan 🥃 (@Its_Me_AU_Creed) October 31, 2021
It was OPI...quit whining.
— 😈White Devil 65👿 (@JamesGaylor9) October 31, 2021
If the fix is in for any team, it is most surely not Auburn football. Refer to Week 3 in Beaver Stadium and the targeting call on Zakoby McClain as proof.