After sleeping on this and thinking about it longer, the more I believe this was an incomplete pass.
Murdock is the one clearly with his hand completely covering the ball, but I wouldn't consider it "possession" since he has it pinned to the OSU player's chest. Without the OSU players chest there, Murdock wouldn't have it IMO.
The OSU player's left hand is not on the ball at all.... because Murdock's hand is between his hand and the ball. The OSU players right hand is touching the ball, but is in no way controlling it or possessing it. And then when the two players hit the ground, the OSU player's left hand (on top of Murdock's) comes completely off the ball, and I believe the ball even moves somewhat.
IMO, there is NO evidence whatsoever that either player ever has clear possession or control of the ball at any point throughout that entire play. I'd like to have that official show me the video evidence that they "saw" where the OSU player had control or possession of the ball?
IMO, the Big 12 did not want ISU in the championship game period. They don't have a big enough name, or national draw for TV viewing. The worst case scenario in the Big 12's mind would probably have been a TCU-ISU matchup for the title.
What's really interesting about that final drive was that they didn't call PI or holding on OSU when we threw it in the endzone for Eaton several plays before. Then there was an obvious horse collar also against Montgomery they didn't call either, and the horrible announcers said that because they couldn't get Montgomery down that it wasn't a horse collar. So if Montgomery gives up on the play and just goes down, then we would have gotten 15 yds? Then the obvious miss call on holding Lazard in the the endzone, finally followed by the mystery INT to seal the deal. Only ISU can have these things all happen I swear. F the Big 12. I wouldn't blame Campbell if he leaves if he thinks this is how ISU will always be treated in this league.
This whole series I'm talking about starts at the 3:59:10 mark of this video.