More controversy has struck this year's College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl by way of a curious non-penalty. After Michigan started the game with an interception that was called back, and then a muffed punt following Alabama's first drive, the pendulum has swung back towards Michigan as the Wolverines just caught a major break once more.
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At the end of what was about to be a three-and-out, Alabama lined up to punt, and James Burnip let loose a booming kick. Subsequently, Burnip was knocked to the ground as his kicking leg swung back to rest, but there was no flag.
If this isn’t running into the punter, then the penalty really can’t be called on any play. Just a massive break for Michigan as it would have been a 1st down for Alabama pic.twitter.com/cTQukZtjWP
— College Football Watcher (@CFBWatcher) January 1, 2024
That play could have warranted a flag for running into the kicker, which unlike the much more severe call of roughing the kicker does not necessitate an automatic first down. Still, given that the punt was on a fourth-and-three snap, the five-yard penalty would have been enough to grant Alabama a new set of downs just based on yardage gained.
There is effectively no possible explanation as to why there was no call made on the play. Fans on both sides, as well as neutral observers, were completely puzzled as to the officials' silence, and are all grasping for potential reasons and coming up with nothing.
It's only been one quarter, but this Rose Bowl is already an affair to remember. In a contest that was billed as a contest between the country's two best teams, and it's certainly been intense so far. Michigan has managed to stay competitive through a quarter for the first time in three playoff appearances, so we'll have to see if they're able to keep it up.
Suddenly, Alabama might be the team that has to worry a bit; the Wolverines' offense has looked much better after that tough first drive, and the defense has been splendid when not dealing with a short field. Luckily, there's 45 more minutes of game left, so let's settle in and enjoy what's looking like an instant-classic.
