After Western Michigan Broncos appeared to have secured a 12-7 victory over the Michigan Wolverines, an extra second was added to the game clock by Big Ten officials, resulting in a 13-12 win for Michigan.
The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has filed a formal appeal with the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff, seeking recognition of Western Michigan as the actual winner of the contest for ranking and selection purposes.
In its statement, the MAC cited an error in the replay protocol: “After further study and investigation, it is now evident that replay protocol was not properly followed in determining whether time remained on the game clock at the conclusion of the Western Michigan vs. Michigan football game.” The conference explained that Big Ten officials used their internal replay system’s embedded clock rather than the program feed clock, which would have shown no time remaining. “Had the protocol been properly followed and the program-feed clock been used, no additional play would have been awarded, and Western Michigan would have won the game, 12–7,” it added.
The controversy arose during a Hail Mary pass by Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood that was ruled to have connected with JJ Buchanan in the end zone. Western Michigan officials argued the ball was touched out of bounds at the moment the play ended, as displayed on NBC’s broadcast clock showing zero seconds remaining. Big Ten officials later confirmed the final call by syncing the game clock with a direct stadium feed, revealing one second remained when the ball was touched out of bounds by a Western Michigan defender.
The NCAA has established a standardized protocol for replay reviews requiring use of the broadcast feed’s embedded clock. However, this policy was not in effect during the contest. The MAC’s appeal remains pending review by the NCAA and College Football Playoff committees.
