"Rigged for Ohio State," "Refs flat out cheating": CFB fans rip into referees over Jeremiah Smith's controversial TD vs. Michigan

Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith was involved in a controversial moment in the second quarter of his team's clash against Michigan on Saturday. Smith caught a 25-yard touchdown, but the play was reviewed because there was a question over the wideout's control of the football in the end zone.

Replays showed there was a moment when Smith didn't have control of the football, and his foot had landed out of bounds in the end zone at that point. Some felt that the play should have been called a fumble out of the end zone, which would have been a touchback, not a touchdown. However, the call was "upheld" by referee Kole Knueppel, which meant the Buckeyes went 10-6 up, leading to some wild reactions from fans on social media.

"Yeah the game is rigged for Ohio state. That was clearly not a catch with possession," one tweeted.

garrettkipp💩🏀⚾️

@garrett_kipp

Yeah the game is rigged for Ohio state. That was clearly not a catch with possession

"Refs CHEATING FOR OHIO STATE! CLEAR OUT OF BOUNDS FUMBLE! RIGGED GAME!" another added.

"That’s not a touchdown for Ohio State this game rigged," a third commented.

Here are a few more reactions to Jeremiah Smith's controversial TD.

"Refs flat out cheating for Ohio State," one wrote.

"Wow ... Michigan got s*rewed on that call. Those refs gave Ohio State a touchdown that was clearly not. The player lost control of the ball before crossing the goal line, then planted his foot out of bounds...and the whole world saw it. They really want Ohio State to win," another added.

"Ohio state just received a government bail out from the refs with that awful call," a user tweeted.

Ohio State didn't start the game well. Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin threw an interception early in the first quarter.

The Wolverines led 6-3 at the end of Q1. However, at the time of writing, the Buckeyes hold a 10-9 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Jeremiah Smith is in contention to win the Heisman Trophy this season

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith - Source: Getty

Jeremiah Smith has had another sensational season with the Buckeyes so far. The wideout has been in the mix for the Heisman Trophy.

Entering the game against Michigan, Smith posted 902 yards and 10 touchdowns on 69 receptions. He failed to score a touchdown in just three regular-season games this season.

Smith won the national title with Ohio State last season. He will want to add another championship to his CV this season.