What MAC appeal means for Michigan and Western Michigan after controversial ending

In the aftermath of Michigan's controversial win over Western Michigan, the MAC is taking another step to try to get the Broncos a much-earned victory over Michigan.

The conference submitted a formal appeal to the NCAA's FBS Oversight Committee, stating that the replay process at the end of the game was incorrect. The conference believes that the referees did not follow protocol properly, leading to one second being added to the game clock before Michigan's game-winning touchdowns.

This is a significant step for the conference, as the NCAA barely ever gets involved in game outcomes if at all. However, the MAC and Western Michigan believe they have a case for the result of this one to be overturned,

Here's how the MAC is appealing the Michigan-Western Michigan result.

MORE: How Michigan's Hail Mary compares to other unlikely endings

MAC appeals Michigan-Western Michigan ending

On Tuesday, the MAC announced that it was officially appealing the result of Saturday night's game between Michigan and Western Michigan, arguing that the replay process was not followed properly.

"The established replay protocol requires that the game clock displayed on the program feed be used in determining whether time remained," the statement said. "Instead, the Big Ten Conference replay crew relied upon the clock feed embedded within its replay system. As a result, one second was placed back on the game clock and an additional play was awarded."

The conference is claiming that, had the protocol been properly followed by using the game clock instead of the replay clock, the referees would have determined that there was no time left after Michigan's first Hail Mary attempt.

"The Mid-American Conference has submitted formal appeals to the NCAA FBS Oversight Committee and the College Football Playoff," the statement concluded. "The MAC is requesting that those bodies recognize Western Michigan as the actual winner of the game for purposes of their respective rankings, evaluations and selection deliberations, and take such other corrective action as may be within their authority."

New statement from @MACSports on Western Michigan-Michigan pic.twitter.com/UaMBpVqcKu

What does MAC appeal mean for result of game?

The MAC appeal means that the result of the game is still up in the air, as the conference is requesting that Western Michigan be awarded the victory. Since the controversy involves the end of the game, there are no worries about having to replay any part of the game.

However, that doesn't mean the MAC should expect an overturned result. The NCAA's football rulebook says that "when the referee declares that the game is ended, the score is final," and in this case, the referee decided that the game wasn't over when the MAC said it should have been over.

Can NCAA change result of game?

As the overall governing body, the NCAA may be able to overturn the result of a game, but it would have to be within its own rules. In the past, the NCAA has vacated or forfeited wins based on certain scandals, but it has never reversed the outcome of a game due to an officiating error.

MORE: Updated NCAA rankings after Week 1

What's next for MAC and Western Michigan?

There is not much else for the MAC or Western Michigan to do at this point. After filing the appeal, either the FBS Oversight Committee grants them a win or sticks with Saturday's result, but either way, that is the highest either an appeal can go within the NCAA.

Of course, it's possible that the MAC or Western Michigan try to bring this to a local judge, as local judges have gotten involved in NCAA eligibilities over the past several years. But for now, Western Michigan will just focus on its next game.