Fans question why Mack Wilson wasn’t flagged for targeting while Devin White was on Saturday

Two similar plays by defensive players on quarterbacks on Saturday drew different reactions from officials calling those games, and that’s drawn ire from fans across the SEC.

One play that was called for targeting was LSU linebacker Devin White being flagged on a hit on Mississippi State QB Nick Fitzgerald in the fourth quarter, which led to his ejection. That means he will miss the first half of the Alabama game next month.

That controversial call brought out fan complaints that the hit by Alabama’s Mack Wilson on Tennessee QB Jarrett Guarantano, which caused a collarbone injury, was not whistled for targeting, although it appeared to be a similar hit as White’s.

It was a mixed bag of those defending Wilson’s play, and others calling for SEC leadership to explain what’s the difference between the two plays.

SEC Network’s Marcus Spears and Mike Golic of ESPN agreed that it was the rule that needs to be addressed to sort things out in the future.

With LSU and Alabama each off this week before the Nov. 3 showdown in Tiger Stadium, that gives plenty of time to continue the debate about the calls, the rules and the impact each player will have in the game.

Mack’s helmet hits the qb under the chin and in the shoulder pads, which is perfect form for that hit. Mack lifts his head up so he isn’t striking the qb with the crown of his helmet (which by rule would be targeting). Very hard hit but not targeting. pic.twitter.com/KDUhzCDPZo

— Joshua Perkins (@JoshuaPerkiins) October 21, 2018

Now back to the Devin White play. Notice how his head is higher up than Mack’s. His face mask is up (not leading with the crown) but his helmet doesn’t hit the shoulder pads like Wilson’s. It appears to hit the face mask of Fitzgerald. pic.twitter.com/6Nl6VuVjQw

— Joshua Perkins (@JoshuaPerkiins) October 21, 2018

Yes seriously! Go complain somewhere else. Everyone mad because white ejected for helmet to helmet and saying Mack Wilson was targeting, yet his facemask was burried in Tennesse qb chest… pic.twitter.com/YXG6yKwmYn

— Danny Brantley (@mrbonesripper) October 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/billy_boz/status/1054024499459440640

https://twitter.com/catahoulatigers/status/1053861283110412289

https://twitter.com/GWSBR/status/1054082235589115904

I’m so sick of people saying Mack Wilson should have been called for targeting. It was a clean hit it’s not Bama fault the LSU guy was called if it was or wasn’t. They need to learn the rules of targeting and football for that matter!!!! I say let him play no excuses!!!!!

— Jennifer❤ (@rolltidechick82) October 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/willsgroup_AL/status/1054220105012441088

The @SEC needs to explain how Devin White was ejected for targeting and Mack Wilson wasn't.https://t.co/d40hv7t2XI

— Pigskin Nerd (@PigskinNerd) October 21, 2018

Mike G! Hate the the call and you know it’s a bad rule on punishment but as it was explained to me they are supposed to call it. The rule about sitting out next game is one of the worst in the game and it needs to change https://t.co/qJjjle9u6k

— Marcus Spears (@mspears96) October 21, 2018

@MattMoscona Why not ask the league to suspend Mack Wilson for that hit. They can incur targeting calls by review after the fact can’t they? Might not level the field if Mack was suspended too but it sure would help.

— Corey White (@Netsilot) October 22, 2018

@notthefakeSVP Devon White was targeting but not Mack Wilson. Yeah, Birmingham is not in Alabama's pocket. They let Saban decide punishment for last weeks punches. Please bring this to light. Drugs,weapons, they choose to do nothing. Love ya, man.

— david felder (@dpfelder) October 21, 2018

https://twitter.com/TuttlePatriarch/status/1054077681287991300

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.