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The NCAA insists it has no power to overturn the result of Michigan's controversial Week 1 win over Western Michigan after an appeal lodged by the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
The Broncos suffered a heartbreaking defeat in Ann Arbor in controversial circumstances after Bryce Underwood's 47-yard Hail Mary touchdown to JJ Buchanan gave the Wolverines a 13-12 win.
Moments earlier, the massive underdogs had been celebrating one of the biggest upsets in college football history after batting down a Hail Mary attempt as time expired.
But Big Ten officials inexplicably put an extra second on the game clock, using a different clock to the one shown to millions of viewers around the world, that showed time had expired.
The Big Ten said in a statement and accompanying video that the final ruling was made by syncing a 'side-by-side view of the play and the game clock, using a direct shot of the game clock in the stadium.'
The MAC filed an appeal to both the FBS Oversight Committee and College Football Playoff on Tuesday in which it demanded Western Michigan be considered 12-7 winners.
Bryce Underwood and Michigan escaped with a dramatic win in Week 1 after controversy
Underwood found JJ Buchanan on the final play of the game to give the Wolverines a 13-12 win
But the NCAA released a statement that said: 'NCAA rules do not have a protocol for overturning the outcome of a game. The FBS Oversight Committee also does not have the authority to overturn the outcome of a game.'
They added that according to Rule 1-1-3-b, 'When the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final.' Rule 5-2-9 also states that 'a rules decision cannot be changed after the ball is next legally snapped, legally free-kicked, or the second or fourth period has ended.'
The NCAA did take some action, however, to avoid a repeat, with national coordinator of officials Ron Snodgrass sending out a memo to all teams changing its policy to establish a standardized protocol for timekeeping.
The new policy mandates that the clock embedded in the broadcast feed is used for replay reviews as the official clock. If that had been the case last weekend, Western Michigan would have won.
'The official time for all college football games is the time displayed on the in-stadium game clock,' Snodgrass said in the memo.
'When a replay review requires time to be restored or otherwise adjusted, the replay official's decision will be based on the embedded game clock contained within the program feed.
'If the broadcaster is unable to provide an embedded game clock, the replay official will use the game-clock graphic displayed as part of the broadcast feed. This timing protocol should be followed consistently at all institutions and game sites.'
MAC commissioner Dr Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement on Tuesday: '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 clock used on TV showed time had expired when Western Michigan batted down a pass
Big Ten officials used a different clock which determined an extra second was added
'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.'
Western Michigan added in their own statement via President Russ Kavalhuna: 'Commissioner Steinbrecher and the MAC have taken important action today in college football. The support we have received from across the country for Coach Taylor and our Broncos, for their character and their sportsmanship, has been overwhelming, and we are grateful for it.
'Some have read our actions as weak. However, supporting student-athletes and their growth during a time of adversity is strength. Being bitter doesn't make you better and this should not be mistaken for weakness or agreement. We can show respect for the game while also asking serious questions; I've done both, and I'll keep doing both.
'Our job at Western Michigan is to play the game and help our students grow. It's the job of the conferences and the NCAA to enforce the rules. Our Broncos will continue to take the field against any opponent.'
