ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan Wolverines fell out of the AP Top 25 released Tuesday after winning, dropping from No. 16 to unranked five days after a 13-12 win over Western Michigan.
The Associated Press reported it was the biggest fall to unranked by any team following a victory since at least 2008. Michigan drew no votes at all. The Wolverines were 27.5-point favorites at Michigan Stadium in Kyle Whittingham‘s debut as head coach.
Michigan scored on its opening drive Saturday night and did not reach the end zone again for the rest of regulation. Trailing 12-7 in the final seconds, Bryce Underwood threw a Hail Mary that sailed through the end zone as the clock reached zero. Western Michigan players ran onto the field. Officials went to review and put one second back on the clock. Underwood threw a 47-yard touchdown pass to JJ Buchanan on the next snap.
The Big Ten Explained Why One Second Went Back On The Clock
The conference said video review showed Western Michigan safety Micah Davis, No. 18, jumped from out of bounds and touched the ball with a second still on the clock.
“Following video review, it was determined Western Michigan’s No. 18 started his jump from an established out of bounds position (left foot),” the Big Ten said.
Eighty-five minutes before kickoff, all broadcast cameras used in the replay system are synced with a strobe system. That includes the camera trained on the game clock. NBC rules analyst Terry McAulay said on the broadcast that the network’s clock is synced to the stadium clock. He questioned how officials reached the ruling.
The Mid-American Conference issued its own statement on the finish.
Underwood said he thought the game had ended.
“I definitely thought the game was over because there were zeroes on the clock,” Underwood said.
Steve Sarkisian Addressed The Michigan Finish On Monday
Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday he was surprised to see Michigan fans storm the field after the finish. Texas and Michigan met most recently in the Citrus Bowl. Arch Manning accounted for 376 yards in that game and was named MVP.
Kansas State also fell from ranked to unranked in the new poll. Virginia entered at No. 25 on the strength of a Week 0 win over NC State.
Whittingham took the Michigan job after leaving Utah. Morgan Scalley replaced him in Salt Lake City and opened with a 66-14 win over Idaho.
Michigan opened the year at No. 16 in the preseason AP poll and drew no first-place votes. Ohio State stayed at No. 1 with 46 first-place votes. Oregon slid from No. 2 to No. 6 after a 34-27 win over Boise State.
