The Thing About Pac12 Refs...

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Hokies.

Rough game last night.

I know it still stings. I've been there too many times. Heart-wrenching losses aided by Pac12 refs are the worst.

Now that you've gotten your initial "fudge"-filled texts, Tweets, and Facebook posts out of the way, there's something you should know about Pac12 refs.

They suck for everybody.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

So yeah. In the Pac12, we put up with this on a weekly basis.

There's a secret to dealing with Pac12 refs, though:

Don't leave the game in their hands.

When you play a close game, you're giving Pac12 refs an opportunity to decide the game's outcome for you. And as you've just witnessed in gory detail, you can't count on Pac12 refs. Things can end very badly.

Here's how the Hokies tempted fate and put the game in the incapable hands of Pac12 officials:

• One touchdown on 5 red zone trips. (Ouch.)
• O'StinesCain's belief that David Wilson is a power-back. (He isn't. Stop running "power" plays for him.)
• The failed punt-fake in the 4th quarter. (What a bizarre play-call. VT's defense had been rocking Blue's world all night. In that situation, you've got to "dance with who brung ya." Pin them deep and let your defense win it.)
• Two key turnovers. (Especially that fumbled kickoff. Yowza.)
• Penalties. (The VT O-line picked a couple of inopportune times to melt down. And that 2nd Hosley interception was pass interference.)

Blaming inept Pac12 refs is easy, and totally understandable. Coale's TD catch in overtime was a catch (or at the very least, shouldn't have been overturned). The first Hosley interception was complete. The roughing-the-kicker penalty was tenuous at best. The no-call (illegal motion) on Michigan’s fake field goal was outrageous.

But take it from me: Playing close games with Pac12 refs is like playing with matches. Once in a while, you're going to get burned.

(...and once again, sorry for your loss.)