Pac-12 officials have now officially become a story in the 2020 College Football Playoff championship game.
The crew — which features officials who were a part of some controversial games in recent seasons — missed a crucial, potentially game-changing call in the second quarter of the LSU-Clemson game.
The missed call came midway through the second quarter, with LSU driving while trailing 17-14. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow hit running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of the backfield, and Edwards-Helaire took the pass 23 yards to the Clemson 32. Except, it looked as if officials failed to see Edwards-Helaire's hand was down at midfield, essentially gifting LSU 17 yards.
Was Clyde Edwards-Helaire out of bounds? pic.twitter.com/ne8kviqP9r
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) January 14, 2020
MORE: LSU-Clemson CFP title game live blog
Here's a better look at the play.
According to the officials, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is NOT out of bounds here #NationalChampionship pic.twitter.com/cYKX13ddi5
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) January 14, 2020
LSU ran an up-tempo offense once the ball was spotted, and officials weren't able to stop the clock and review the play. Three plays later, Burrow hit Ja'Marr Chase for a 14-yard touchdown to put LSU up 21-17.
Will that affect the final outcome of this game? We have a half to find out after LSU took a 28-17 lead into halftime.
