The only call that overturned a play that OSU made was the scoop and score. True, that 7 points (assuming they make the kick) would have been enough to cover the 29 points Clemson scored, but my objection to that is only that that play didn't lose Ohio State the game. In other words, that wasn't a game ending play, even though it's having stood would have had Ohio State playing last Monday.
The only other scoring play that got overturned was the correct replay ruling (Dobbins' no catch). So, if you're referencing that play as being among the plays being negated, I have to disagree to the extent that the suggestion is it was negated improperly.
As to the targeting... it's a stupid rule.. well.. no.. the penalty is too punitive, ejection for merely playing football is dumb. I'm not going to go on and on about the rule here.. and I am also aware they didn't stop play and get a Clemson player for targeting Dobbins. But, the point is, even if they removed the punitive nature of the penalty, it was still a penalty (assuming all things about the rule being the same but for the punitive enforcement) and would have extended the drive and likely lead to a score, as it actually did. Now, I agree there was no flag on the field, and frankly, it should have been a no call in my opinion (the whole fucking reason they were helmets is because sometimes in a collision sport, heads collide inadvertently... maybe they should take the helmets out of the game, like rugby, but that's another discussion). Anyway, Ohio State still had them on the ropes and even with their TD, the game was still well in hand at that time.
The other play that extended a Clemson drive and lead to a score was the punt block. We can go back and forth on if it was a 5 yarder or a 15, but in my opinion, that was a coaching mistake in the first place. Clemson's pinned deep. OSU is going to get great field position if they play punt safe. The risk was too much there relative to the potential reward. I mean, hey, if they kick was blocked it's probably at least 2 points, and more likely a TD... but.. If I'm not mistaken Ohio State was leading at that moment (even if stagnant on offense at the time) and they should have, in my opinion, let Clemson kick and set up shop inside Clemson territory, in all likelihood... indeed, in as much as the guy got the kick off, if memory serves, Wilson got it to about the Clemson... 40 I want to say. In any case, that's not bad officiating. That was a bad play call. Well... again... not bad so much as too risky in that spot.
I do know if Ohio State had played it safe, Clemson wouldn't have those 7 points they ended up getting... But even with that said, we can just say Clemson wouldn't have gotten those particular points in the manner they got them. For all I know, OSU goes 3 and out, or throws a pick, or fumbles and Clemson scores on their next possession. Net change to what actually played out? Zero. Maybe OSU punts and Clemson doesn't score. Net chane to actual game - OSU + 7 Maybe OSU scores and that's a 14 point swing from what actually played out. Hard to say.
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