Close-up angle shows refs just gifted Ohio State a free TD against Michigan

Who knew that Christmas Day was now on November 29? Well, it is for Ohio State as they are being gifted calls by the refs early in The Game. The first quarter was one that went in favor of Michigan as the Wolverines played tough defense, which included a goal-line stop that forced the Buckeyes to settle for a field goal.

The second quarter so far, though, seems to be going in favor of Ohio State, and it is aided by the refs. On a fourth and five play for Ohio State, instead of going for the yardage, the Buckeyes went for the home run hit with a pass to Jeremiah Smith, who ran the ball in for about three yards into the end zone for a touchdown.

Well, what the refs called a touchdown. On a slow-motion replay, it is shown that Smith bobbled the ball as he went over the goal line, and once he had possession, his foot was out of bounds. After a lengthy review, though, the replay decided to uphold the call on the field, leaving the touchdown on the board.

Of course, boos rained down in The Big House as Michigan fans were irate with the call and felt that, especially with how long it was looked at, something had to of been wrong. Even the announcers for the game were wondering what the call was going to be after the replay.

Ohio State is gifted crucial call in the first half

Even though Michigan's defense has played fairly well, the touchdown call certainly looks to have affected them, as the Wolverines are struggling a bit more to get a stop against the Buckeyes' offense. The Michigan offense is also struggling to find holes in the Ohio State defense.

The Wolverines have yet to find the end zone against Ohio State and have had to settle on three field goals on drives that looked promising, but just died out late. Michigan fans will be irate if this game comes down to the touchdown call early in the second half.