[CompSci87]

If fewer fouls were called, the play would have been rougher and there would have been more (uncalled) fouls.

I think that's a common belief, but I don't think there's a link to the number of fouls called and the effect on roughness. I think it's just...a lot of fouls called and it's still rough. IMO, neither Maryland nor Texas changed their aggressive style of defense throughout the game as a reaction to the number of fouls being called.

They did lose, though, so at least it's arguable that the refs calling fouls helped prevent the maul ballers from getting away with it

[CompSci87]

If fewer fouls were called, the play would have been rougher and there would have been more (uncalled) fouls.

I think that's a common belief, but I don't think there's a link to the number of fouls called and the effect on roughness. I think it's just...a lot of fouls called and it's still rough. IMO, neither Maryland nor Texas changed their aggressive style of defense throughout the game as a reaction to the number of fouls being called.

They did lose, though, so at least it's arguable that the refs calling fouls helped prevent the maul ballers from getting away with it