Explanation for why Alabama game had brutal camera angle

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 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.

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.

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.