NCAA ADMITS WESTERN MICHIGAN WON... SAYS NOTHING WE CAN DO

The NCAA's FBS Oversight Committee reviewed the finish of Michigan's Sept. 5 win over Western Michigan and agreed that instant replay protocols were not followed on the second-to-last play. Its conclusion: "Had the protocols been followed, the outcome of the game would have been different." So the Broncos won. They just don't get to have won. Quick refresher for anyone who blacked out. Bryce Underwood's first Hail Mary sailed out the back of the end zone with the NBC broadcast clock sitting on zero. The Big Ten replay crew leaned on a different clock feed, found one second, and handed Michigan another snap. Underwood hit JJ Buchanan for a 47-yard touchdown and a 13-12 win. Under proper protocol, Western Michigan takes it 12-7, the first win over Michigan in program history. The committee then cited Rules 1-1-3-b and 5-2-9: once the referee says the game is over, the score is final, appeals not permitted. It also announced this is its only statement on the matter, which is a hell of a way to end a conversation you started. The NCAA did push out a standardized timing protocol so the in-stadium clock is official and replay officials use the embedded clock in the program feed. Everybody gets clean rules now except the team that needed them. Michigan, meanwhile, sits at No. 19 after beating Oklahoma 17-10.

Why you should give a shit: The NCAA just told Western Michigan it won a game that will show up in the record book as a loss forever, which is the most honest description of college football governance anyone has published all year.