Statistician Declares Western Michigan Winner of Game

Sagarin’s official rankings currently list Western Michigan at 1-0, recognizing the Broncos as the winners despite the controversial ending that left many college football fans questioning the result.

That decision has quickly added another layer to an already bizarre situation.

Western Michigan put together a strong performance against its in-state opponent and appeared to have done enough to leave Michigan Stadium with a victory. Instead, controversy surrounding the game has overshadowed what an impressive effort from the Broncos was.

While Sagarin’s rankings obviously do not officially change the result in the NCAA record books, they provide a notable acknowledgment of what many Western Michigan fans believe happened on the field.

And if nothing else, Sagarin is willing to put his rankings where his opinion is. Now, if only the NCAA had the same courage.

College football has never been short on controversial calls, questionable decisions, or debates over what should count as an official result. But when an independent, NCAA-recognized selector recognizes Western Michigan as the winner, it is sure to fuel the argument that the Broncos deserve more than a footnote from Saturday’s chaos.

For Western Michigan, Sagarin’s rankings offer a small victory. Maybe someday, the official record will tell the same story.