NCAA adopts uniform replay timing rule after Michigan-Western Michigan controversy

The NCAA announced a new replay timing protocol that requires officials to rely on the clock embedded in the broadcast feed as the official time source for all college football games. The policy, outlined in a memo from NCAA national coordinator of officials Ron Snodgrass, states that the in-stadium clock is the official time, and when a replay review calls for a clock adjustment, the decision must be based on the embedded broadcast clock or, if unavailable, the graphic clock shown on the broadcast.

The change comes after a Week 1 game in which Michigan appeared to have won when the NBC broadcast clock hit zero as a Hail Mary pass was intercepted. A Big Ten review later added one second, allowing Michigan to score on a second attempt and secure a 13-12 victory over Western Michigan. The conference said the decision was made by synchronizing a side-by-side view of the play with a direct shot of the stadium clock, which showed one second remaining.

Under the new rule, the replay official would have used the broadcast-embedded clock, which displayed zero, and the game would have ended after the first Hail Mary attempt. The Western Michigan Broncos and the Mid-American Conference have urged the NCAA’s FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff to recognize Western Michigan as the rightful winner, arguing that the Big Ten replay crew relied on a different clock feed.

College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark said the matter will be referred to the management committee for guidance, noting that the request was only received recently. Western Michigan university president Russ Kavalhuna expressed support for the conference’s position, emphasizing the importance of defending student-athletes during the dispute.