‘Let’s Get Weird,’ ‘Battle Is On’ – CFB World Reacts As the MAC Appeals NCAA to Overturn Michigan’s Win vs. WMU
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Just when it seemed like the Michigan Wolverines escaped their game against Western Michigan with a controversial 13-12 win, the Mid-American Conference (MAC) is fighting back and trying to overturn the outcome.
The MAC released a statement arguing that Big Ten replay officials did not follow the proper protocol when they added one second to the game clock, prompting an NCAA appeal.
MAC Changes Stance on Michigan-WMU Controversy
On Tuesday, MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher announced that the conference has formally appealed to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff. The MAC wants Western Michigan to be recognized as the winner for rankings, evaluations, and selection purposes.
“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,” Steinbrecher said.
The controversy erupted when WMU almost completed the upset vs. the Wolverines. However, replay officials determined that one second still remained on the clock because Broncos safety Micah Davis had leaped from out of bounds before touching the ball.
The officials thus restored the second and gave Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood one final Hail Mary attempt. Underwood delivered, sending Michigan from the brink of defeat to a walk-off win. Now, the MAC says the clock review itself was flawed.
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Prior to this, the MAC and Western Michigan hadn’t pushed back about how the clock was handled. The reversal in the MAC’s stance sent the college football world into another frenzy.
The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel summed up the issue simply: “It’s not over yet, folks.”
Podcaster Jessica Smetana embraced the chaos, writing, “Hell yeah, let’s get weird.”
ESPN writer Dan Wetzel wrote, “After previously accepting the Big Ten explanation, The MAC now states that ‘replay protocol was not properly followed’ at the end of the Western Michigan-Michigan game. Battle is on.”
Former NFL tight end Jacob Tamme wrote on X, “It’s happening.”
“If they actually awarded WMU the win, this would be so beneficial for CFB as a whole,” said one fan.
Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz said, “Here we go. MAC conference fighting back for Western Michigan. If they are correct here I’m curious if they vacate the win.”
ESPN producer Ryan Epling tweeted, “I could not be rooting harder for the MAC in this specific situation.” Steinbrecher’s latest statement represents a major change from his position immediately after the game.
Previously, Steinbrecher said he had confidence in the review process and believed the proper procedure had been followed. “The process was followed, and given that, you have to go with that decision,” Steinbrecher said at the time.
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Two days later, the MAC formally requested that the outcome be reconsidered.
“The established replay protocol requires that the game clock displayed on the program feed be used in determining whether time remained,” Steinbrecher said. “Instead, the Big Ten Conference replay crew relied upon the clock feed embedded within its replay system.”
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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