NCAA's FBS Oversight Committee confirms that had replay 'protocols been followed,' Western Michigan would have beaten Michigan

It's of little consolation to Western Michigan, but the NCAA's FBS Oversight Committee said Wednesday that had proper replay protocols been followed, the Broncos would have beaten Michigan in Week 1.

The NCAA released a statement Wednesday after the committee met to discuss how Michigan was granted an extra second of game time for its improbable Hail Mary in its 13-12 win over Western Michigan. In the statement, the NCAA reaffirmed that it had no ability to overturn the result of the game — which the Mid-American Conference had requested.

"The committee confirmed that it does not have the authority to overturn the contest," the statement said. The playing rules governing the result of a contest are clear. Once the referee declares a contest to be final, no appeal of the outcome is permitted, according to Rules 1-1-3-b and 5-2-9 of the NCAA football rules: