Alabama’s lackluster performance against South Florida on Saturday wasn’t the only reason their matchup was trending on social media. The head-scratching camera work during the game left fans completely befuddled.
Fans did not have the usual dynamic angles to watch the Crimson Tide’s 17-3 win over South Florida at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Unsurprisingly, some viewers were quick to lambast the ABC-ESPN broadcast for seemingly shoddy camera work.
The camera work in the Alabama USF game is Emmy worthy pic.twitter.com/UREySGDG6J
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) September 16, 2023
camera guy at USF vs Alabama fell asleep, bro hasn't moved this whole drive 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/JP9ojQzPCl
— los 🦦 (@Losanomics) September 16, 2023
The broadcast often used a zoomed-out shot showing a wide field view. The awkward view had some fans believing the cameraman was perched on the moon.
Why is the camera for USF vs Alabama on the moon
— gravel (@coastalplswin) September 16, 2023
Camera at Alabama game! pic.twitter.com/7frufyLKxi
— Mark H (@1throckmorton) September 16, 2023
Any conspiracy theorists wondering if Alabama just didn’t want fans to watch the game properly can take off their tinfoil hats. The reason has much more to do with player and crowd safety than hiding anything on the field.
A lightning storm threatened the area during the game, which even forced an hour-long delay early in the second quarter. While the game was allowed to resume, a handful of camera operators were not allowed to return to their posts. The broadcast was thus forced to resort to several stationary cameras.
For safety given lightning in the area, Alabama @ USF has fewer camera operators and most of the ABC feed has looked like this. Has the added benefit of not having to look too closely at this game. 😅 pic.twitter.com/uDhwwdfFkJ
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 16, 2023
Alabama fans probably aren’t mad about missing some good angles from this game. The Crimson Tide trailed after the first quarter 0-3 and were tied 3-3 for most of the game until a late second-half surge.
The poor camera work perhaps spared Nick Saban from going even more viral for his disheveled look as he exited the stadium on Saturday.
