Penn State playoff game against SMU to feature SEC officiating crew

Penn State's playoff game against SMU on December 21 will be officiated by a crew from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), not the Big Ten. This change follows complaints from Penn State coach James Franklin about Big Ten officiating in recent losses. Franklin expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating during games against Ohio State and Oregon, citing a disparity in penalties. In those games, Penn State received more penalties than their opponents, which Franklin believes affected the outcomes. The assignment of SEC officials is part of a broader plan to use crews from different power conferences for playoff games. This approach aims to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure fair officiating.