Big 12 Officiating Needs to Speed Up

Broadcasters Jason Benetti and Robert Griffin III took aim at Big 12 officiating after Arizona’s close win over Kansas State, blasting replay reviews for being far too long. Their criticism, echoing what fans have been complaining about, is putting pressure on the league to make changes.

During the broadcast, Benetti said he was frustrated by the delay. He asked, “Why do we have to wait this long on something that, from the first look, you knew how it would come out?” Griffin picked up the thread. He said the reply should clear up confusion, not create more. He described current review stoppages as “dead air” that kills momentum and leaves viewers in limbo.

The play in question featured an Arizona first down spot. The review took what seemed an eternity. By the time the ruling came back, the flow was gone, and the broadcast was restless. Benetti noted that college football already has a lot of moving parts, and slowdowns only make them worse. He said more efficient replay rules would help ensure fairness and continuity without bogging down the spectacle.

Griffin added that officiating crews need finer margins and faster standard protocols. He said that when the system fails to deliver timely answers, the game suffers. He argued that replay should support better officiating, not highlight its flaws.

The Big 12 has struggled with replay timing throughout recent seasons. Challenges, reviews, booth reviews, and official reviews pile up. Each one pauses the clock, interrupts the narrative, shifts momentum. Sometimes games feel like two halves of action separated by long stretches of nothing. Players get cold. Crowds get quiet.

The message from Benetti and Griffin is clear. Replay must serve the game—not hamper it. The Big 12 has a decision point. Improve review speed now or risk letting slow officiating become part of the complaint every week.