The 2025 college football season’s been full of controversial officiating calls. Fans, coaches, and players are frustrated, and it’s easy to see why.
These calls have changed the outcomes of games and sparked heated debates all over social media. From missed penalties to strange reviews, conference-based officiating has never faced this much scrutiny.
Let’s dive into the ten worst officiating calls of the 2025 college football season, ranked by On3, and see how each decision left its mark.
Ohio State vs. Washington: Roughing the Passer Controversy
In the third quarter, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin took a hit from Washington’s Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei just after throwing the ball. Officials called roughing the passer, swinging momentum to Ohio State and helping them stretch their lead to 14-3.
Washington head coach Jedd Fisch couldn’t believe it and said so after the game. The call left people questioning how roughing the passer penalties are enforced.
Impact on the Game
If officials hadn’t thrown the flag, Ohio State would’ve faced 3rd-and-20, likely out of field goal range. Instead, the penalty gave them a new set of downs and led to a touchdown.
Bowling Green vs. Toledo: Illegal Formation Admission
Late in the fourth quarter, Bowling Green pulled off a trick play that tied the game against Toledo. The Mid-American Conference later admitted the play should’ve been flagged for illegal formation.
To make things weirder, the game ran with one less official because of a pregame injury. Bowling Green ended up winning 28-23, but the missed call stuck in everyone’s mind.
Officiating Challenges
This situation shows how tough officiating can get, especially with a shorthanded crew. Missing the illegal formation directly changed the game’s outcome.
Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech: Missed Offside Penalty
In the final minutes, a Georgia Tech defender looked offside during a crucial third-and-5. No flag came out, and Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford’s pass fell incomplete.
Georgia Tech got the ball back, tied it with a field goal, and eventually won 30-29 in overtime.
Consequences of the Missed Call
If Wake Forest had gotten the 5-yard penalty, they would’ve picked up a first down and could’ve run out the clock. That missed offside changed everything.
Penn State vs. Oregon: Controversial Fumble Overturn
During the Penn State White Out, Penn State’s defense recovered a fumble, but officials overturned it after review. Oregon kept the ball and scored a touchdown on the next play.
Penn State coach James Franklin said he didn’t see enough evidence to overturn the call. That decision helped Oregon take a 10-3 lead.
South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt: Questionable Targeting Call
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers got hit high by Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson, who was ejected for targeting. Sellers entered concussion protocol, but the call stirred debate since Patterson didn’t seem to lead with his helmet.
It took a key defensive player off the field and left people arguing about targeting rules—again.
UCLA vs. Maryland: Phantom Block in the Back
In the fourth quarter, UCLA wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer got flagged for a block in the back, erasing a big gain. Replays showed Gilmer barely touched the Maryland defender, making the penalty look pretty bad.
The call killed UCLA’s drive and hurt their comeback chances.
Virginia Tech vs. Cal: Dubious Roughing the Passer
With under three minutes left, Virginia Tech led Cal 27-20. Then a roughing the passer penalty on a sack put Cal at the 2-yard line, and they scored on the next play.
Virginia Tech still won 42-34 in double overtime, but the penalty drew plenty of criticism.
Georgia vs. Auburn: Timeout Reversal
Early in the third quarter, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart looked like he was calling timeout. Officials granted it, but Smart later said he was pointing out an Auburn player clapping to draw a false start.
Officials reversed the timeout, letting Georgia keep it. The whole sequence was odd and definitely got people talking.
Oklahoma vs. Auburn: Uncounted Hideout Tactic Touchdown
Against Auburn, Oklahoma scored using a “hideout tactic.” Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna pretended to jog off the field, then lined up for the play and scored.
The SEC later admitted the touchdown shouldn’t have counted, since it broke substitution rules. Oklahoma took the early lead and won 24-17.
Georgia vs. Auburn: Controversial Fumble Call
With Auburn up 10-0, quarterback Jackson Arnold tried a goal-line sneak. Georgia linebacker CJ Allen punched the ball out, and officials ruled it a fumble.
The call stood after review, and Georgia got the ball. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze strongly disagreed, saying the ball had crossed the plane. Georgia then scored a field goal and shifted the game’s momentum.
Goal-Line Controversies
Goal-line plays always seem to draw a spotlight, and this fumble call was no different. People couldn’t stop debating whether the officials got it right.
The decision to stick with the ruling on the field stirred up plenty of controversy. It definitely left a mark on how the game ended.
If you’re curious about more of these officiating headaches, check out On3’s ranking of the 10 worst officiating calls of the 2025 college football season.
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