That's a convenient narrative when the flags don't go your way, but the data doesn't support a conspiracy. Vanderbilt was penalized 6.2 times per game last season, which was middle of the pack in the SEC. The idea that officials are protecting "TV darlings" falls apart when you look at penalty yards assessed against top teams. Alabama averaged over 55 penalty yards per game. The notion that Vanderbilt plays "clean" while others get away with murder is emotional, not factual. Our biggest issue has been self-inflicted wounds and execution, not officiating. If you want to build something, you control what you can control. Blaming refs is what programs do when they can't win on the field. The obstacle to parity is talent acquisition and development, not stripes. Vanderbilt's challenge is improving its red zone touchdown percentage, which was under 50%, not fighting some imaginary biased system. Good teams overcome bad calls.