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MAC Reverses Course, Asks the NCAA to Recognize Western Michigan as the “Actual” Winner Over Michigan
By Matt Schultz
Published:
Michigan’s last-second win over Western Michigan on Saturday was about as wild an ending as you’ll ever see in a football game, and the MAC simply will not stand for it. On Tuesday, Mid-American Conference president Jon A. Steinbrecher sent a letter to the NCAA and the College Football Playoff asking that they recognize Western Michigan as the true winner of the controversial game:
The statement:
FROM MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER DR. JON STEINBRECHER
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 established replay protocol requires that the game clock displayed on the program feed be used in determining whether time remained. Instead, the Big Ten Conference replay crew relied upon the 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.
This was not a judgment regarding the proper amount of time to place on the clock. It was an error in the application of the established replay protocol governing this specific end-of-game timing situation. 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.
As a result, the Mid-American Conference has submitted formal appeals to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff. The MAC is requesting that those bodies recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner of the game for purposes of their respective rankings, evaluations and selection deliberations, and take such other corrective action as may be within their authority.
If you’re not fully caught up on this story, here’s a quick recap:
Western Michigan was up 12–7 on Saturday night when Michigan threw a Hail Mary as time expired. The pass fell incomplete and the TV broadcast clock hit 0:00. Everyone in the world thought the game was over and that Western Michigan won — but then, somehow, some way, the Big Ten replay booth got in the mix to review it, and they ruled that there was actually still one second left in the game. This gave Michigan time for one last heave downfield. They launched a 47-yard bomb and caught it for a touchdown. Michigan won the game 13-12:
Everyone pretty much agreed in the moment that this was some bullshit. Western Michigan should have won this game. What happened here was a truly ridiculous thing to happen, and it’s a shame. Western Michigan has never beaten Michigan. This was a huge deal for them. Having the W ripped away from you like that — in the dumbest way possible — is about as rough as a gut-punch can get. You can’t blame the MAC and Western Michigan for being mad about it. I’d be deeply upset if I had a horse in this race.
However — and this is the part that’s most interesting to me — MAC President Jon A. Steinbrecher said on Sunday that he wasn’t going to challenge the ruling of the game:
Steinbrecher initially told ESPN on Sunday that he “had confidence in the integrity of the process and integrity of the people involved. The process was followed, and given that, you have to go with that decision.”
And then on Tuesday, he changed course. He did a full 180. He turned around and sent off this letter, asking that Western Michigan be viewed as the “actual” winner of the game.
And from where I’m sitting… this was a big mistake. On Sunday, Western Michigan looked wise. Cool. Noble. They had the moral high ground…
And now look at them. Asking the NCAA to reverse the decision on the field. Begging. Groveling…
Hate to say it, but this is baby stuff. Full baby behavior. Tattletale-ish, too. Sending letters and filing complaints? That’s textbook tattletale. And I, for one, simply will not stand with babies and tattletales. Never in your fuckin’ life will you catch me over there… Fat chance…
Sorry to say, MAC and Western Michigan, but this is my stop. I am getting off the train. I hope the NCAA does not reward you the win, but rather punishes you severely for your cowardice. I hope you are fined $70 million for whining. I hope every one of your wins for the rest of the year is awarded to Michigan. I hope you are banned from postseason play in perpetuity. This is only right.
Sometimes in this life, you have to take an L you do not deserve. The correct thing to do is take it on the chin and keep it moving. I pray you have learned this. It brings me no joy to say it, but Go Blue.
Matt Schultz is a comedy and sports writer from Philadelphia. He’s written extensively for ClickHole, The Onion, and Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco. His work has been featured in Vulture, Deadspin, The A.V. Club, Paste Magazine, and other publications. Much of his sports journalism can be found on college basketball websites that don’t exist anymore (PhilaHoops Heads rise up…) email: M.Schultz@sportradar.com