NCAA can't overturn WMU loss despite replay protocol failure — SkimNews
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- NCAA's FBS oversight committee ruled Wednesday it "does not have the authority" to overturn Western Michigan's 13-12 loss to Michigan on Sept. 5, but also found Big Ten replay protocols "were not followed" and "the outcome of the game would have been different" had they been.
- Michigan won on a Hail Mary touchdown after Big Ten replay officials added one second back to the clock, despite the stadium and NBC broadcast clocks showing zeros following quarterback Bryce Underwood's first attempt out the back of the end zone.
- MAC commissioner Jon A. Steinbrecher wrote to the NCAA and College Football Playoff on Sept. 8 requesting Western Michigan be recognized as the "actual winner," arguing the error "directly affected" the final outcome.
- NCAA issued new guidance days later establishing that the official game time is the in-stadium clock, with embedded broadcast clocks as backup — a memo from national coordinator of officials Ron Snodgrass, approved by secretary rules editor Matt Young.
- Michigan improved to 2-0 after defeating Oklahoma last weekend, while Western Michigan (1-1) rebounded from the disputed loss with a 49-14 win over Monmouth.
Why it matters: The committee's split finding validates Western Michigan's grievance that the loss was tainted by an officiating error — yet provides no remedy, leaving the 13-12 result intact. By simultaneously issuing new timing protocol guidance, the NCAA effectively admits the failure was systemic without holding anyone accountable, a precedent that lets replay errors stand even when they directly decide outcomes.
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