MAC Appeals Michigan Win

The Mid-American Conference has formally appealed the ending of Western Michigan’s 13-12 loss to Michigan, asking the NCAA and College Football Playoff to recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner of the game.

The appeal comes after further review by the MAC determined that replay protocol “was not properly followed” when officials placed 1 second back on the clock at the end of the game.

Michigan used the added play to complete a game-winning Hail Mary, turning what would have been a 12-7 Western Michigan victory into a 13-12 Michigan win.

According to the MAC, replay protocol requires officials to use the game clock displayed on the program feed when determining whether time remains. Instead, the Big Ten replay crew used a separate clock feed embedded within its replay system.

“As a result, one second was placed back on the game clock and an additional play was awarded,” the MAC said.

The conference clarified that it’s not arguing over how much time should have been added, but rather which clock officials were permitted to use during the review.

“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,” the MAC said.

The latest statement marks a significant change from the conference’s initial response.

Shortly after the controversial finish, MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said the conference contacted the Big Ten for clarification. At the time, the Big Ten provided video and audio that the MAC said confirmed its explanation for restoring the final second.

After further investigation, however, the MAC now says the issue was not whether the Big Ten’s replay showed time remaining, but whether that replay source was allowed under established protocol.

The MAC has submitted formal appeals to both the NCAA Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff.

For now, Michigan remains credited with the 13-12 victory, but the MAC is formally challenging how that result should be treated moving forward.