Referee's Field Microphone

[tmagan]

I've noticed it during the years, and especially tonight's Alabama/LSU game, the referee's field microphone is not turned on until after the coin toss and decision has been made. It is a bit embarrassing that Verne said let us hear Tom Ritter and you can't because the field microphone isn't turned on. The only other microphone there is an LSU radio stringer, which is good if you are listening on LSU radio, but does nothing for CBS. If we are into transparency, the field microphone should be turned on before the referee talks to the captain. In the NFL, the referee turns the field microphone before talking to the captains.