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MAC Appeals After Disputed Final-Second Replay That Gave Michigan Walk-Off Win

The conference has asked the NCAA and College Football Playoff to treat Western Michigan as the winner for rankings because it says replay protocol was not followed.

Image
Sep 5, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan wide receiver JJ Buchanan (6) catches a Hail Mary pass for a touchdown with no time on the clock to beat Western Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Sep 5, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Western Michigan running back Jalen Buckley (6) runs the ball against Michigan in the fourth quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Western Michigan University Broncos playing their season opener against No. 16 University of Michigan Sept. 5, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Forest Saur-Parker/WWMT)

Overview

  • Late Saturday, Michigan was awarded one second after a replay review and used it to complete a 47-yard Hail Mary that turned an apparent 12–7 Western Michigan win into a 13–12 Michigan victory.
  • The MAC filed formal appeals on Tuesday arguing replay officials used an embedded replay-system clock instead of the broadcast (program) clock required by established protocol and that this error produced the extra second.
  • The NCAA replied on Tuesday that its rules do not provide a process to overturn a game result and that the FBS Oversight Committee lacks authority to change the official outcome.
  • The Big Ten has published the replay recording and continues to defend the replay ruling while televised replays and frame-by-frame analyses show conflicting clock images that have kept public trust questions alive.
  • The dispute could affect postseason evaluations because the MAC asks the CFP and other selectors to treat Western Michigan as a win, and the case is renewing calls for standard, synchronized clock feeds and clearer replay procedures.