MAC takes action after controversial WMU-Michigan result — although it might not be completely necessary

In a letter shared by On3's Pete Nakos, the MAC explained its stance by listing "established protocol" for end-of-game clock adjustments, drawing specific attention to one bullet point in particular.

"The Replay Official/Replay Center Official ... determines whether time should be restored to the game clock based solely upon the game clock insert on the program feed," the MAC's letter states. "In this instance, the established protocol was not followed."

MAC defends Western Michigan with formal appeal of controversial ending to Saturday's game against Michigan

Based on that protocol, the issue seems cut and dry. The NBC broadcast showed the ball in the air when the clock hit zero, which is what caused the initial uproar in the first place. If that is what replay officials are supposed to use to base their timing decisions, then Michigan never gets an extra down and Western Michigan wins.

But would the NCAA really adjust the official record? As just as it'd be, such an act would also be stunning. The NCAA has retroactively taken away wins in the past, but doing so during the season is unheard of. 

If there were ever a time to go in that direction, Western Michigan's stolen win would be the appropriate setting. But even if the NCAA fails to discover its spine, the damage may already be done for Michigan.

The Wolverines were bounced from the Associated Press top 25 on Tuesday after ranking No. 16 in the preseason. The College Football Playoff committee doesn't convene until later in the year, and with four games against AP-ranked opponents before the first CFP poll is revealed, Michigan may already be an afterthought in discussions, marking the controversial Week 1 result moot.

At the same time, if Western Michigan, which has a massive out-of-conference game against Boise State later this month, wins that one and has a strong season in the MAC, committee members likely wouldn't hold a one-point "loss" to Michigan against it, instead giving it strong consideration for the Group of Six's automatic berth.

Overturning last Saturday's result isn't entirely necessary in a sport based on subjective rankings. People making those decisions know what happened, and AP voters have already acted accordingly.

Still, it would sure be nice if the NCAA got something right.