A sequence in the second quarter of the B.C.S. national championship game won by Florida on Thursday night said much about how viewers should judge Fox’s Thom Brennaman and Charles Davis. When you can’t tell the difference between second down and third down, or between third and fourth down, you’re in trouble.

“Brown on third and goal sniffing the end zone, but apparently just short,” Brennaman said with confidence (on what was actually second down). He thought the next play was fourth down, as did Davis, who advised Oklahoma: “Go, go, go!”

Fox’s graphics stripped across the top of the screen had it right: third and goal, but the announcers evidently were not looking. When the Sooners did not rush to the line of scrimmage, Davis seemed to believe that Coach Bob Stoops was having second thoughts about going for it on fourth down. “Surprised they’re even hesitating,” Davis said. But it was third down. Fox’s scoring strip and on-field graphic said it.

“Brown did not get there!” Brennaman said as Chris Brown was stopped. “A huge stop for the Gator defense on fourth and goal.” (But really, third down.) Belatedly, Brennaman acknowledged his error, but it was too late; from then on, every time he said third or fourth down, I checked his claim against the screen. He and Davis, a credible analyst, had expended a lot of credibility. Minutes later, Brennaman giddily said, “I got so excited I thought they were going on fourth down twice.” He laughed, as if such a failure of the basics of sportscasting were a minor matter. “I should have been there for you, partner,” Davis said. But where was their producer to correct them?