As a former baseball and basketball official, I think there is a possibilty they have been told to throw the flag more. Every year HS and NCAA upper crust officials and admins meet amongst themselves. Each time they come out with "points of emphasis".
In baseball it may be to loosen the strike zone or speed the game up. In basketball it may be touch fouls or illegal screens. in football it was targeting and then sideline warnings.
It is my belief after watching all the conferences this weekend that the point of emphasis this year is to simply throw the flag more times whether to slow the game down or whatever.

It is also my belief that the Big !0 crew..handpicked allstars by the way...were in way over their heads! SEC officials are the best in the country! Tom Ritter (ret.), Matt Austin, Baron Huber....there's more...all excellent crew chiefs!