Each weekend, millions of people tune in to watch college and NFL football. The game of football is played at a fast pace with referees making crucial decisions about penalties, ball spots, turnovers, and scores. There isn’t a human being in the world who can make these split-second decisions without making a mistake now and then. In come the replay systems.
The NFL first debuted a replay system in 1986, but in 1992 is was voted out. In 1999, a new system was started and is still being used today. Last year, the Big Ten football conference experimented with a replay system for the college game. It was so successful that 8 more conferences, as well as Notre Dame, are some type of replay system for 2005. All of the 28 bowl games at the end of the season will also use a replay system.
As a Detroit Lions and University of Michigan Wolverines fan, I’ve seen my share of both replay systems in use. The Big Ten gets most aspects right where the NFL’s system has some major flaws. There is also one area where both system fail.
Nick Momrik 