Targeting is broken: Jaishawn Barham ejection proves flaws in system

Every week in college football there’s a questionable call or two that earns additional scrutiny. A ruling that went against LSU on what appeared to be a touchdown catch was one. An ejection for targeting at Michigan was another.

The latter brought out significant complaints from college football analyst Josh Pate, who weighed in on the matter on Josh Pate’s College Football Show. The hit in question resulted in the ejection of Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham.

Because the ejection happened in the second half against New Mexico, Barham will have to miss the first half of next week’s game against Oklahoma. A brutal blow.

“There was an egregious targeting call in this game,” Pate said. “Jaishawn Barham committed the crime of being too good and getting to the quarterback too effectively. And he did not stop and go through notes to see how to tackle the guy. And so not only was he called for targeting, it was upheld, so he has to miss the first half of the Oklahoma game.”

That’s an exceptionally stiff penalty for a call that was definitely borderline. Barham was ejected from Saturday night’s season opener against New Mexico following a controversial hit on Lobos quarterback Jack Layne.

Layne originally fumbled and Barham picked it up for a touchdown, but it was overturned once the targeting call was made and he was ejected. And, again, he’ll miss the first half against Oklahoma barring a successful appeal to the NCAA.

“Unless there’s an appeal, which they are allowed to do, unless that appeal has it overturned, he’s got to miss the first half of the Oklahoma game for what, at most, should have been roughing the passer,” Pate said. “At most should have been roughing the passer.”

The college football analyst summed up the decision pretty simply. He was fed up.

“Anyone who tells me targeting is not broken in college football, I encourage you to go watch that call,” Pate said.