Michigan won the game on a Hail Mary and got dropped out of the AP Top 25 anyway. Why?

Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) talks with Chris Bracy (7) after an NCAA college football game against the Western Michigan Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham watches against Western Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Michigan won the game against Western Michigan but lost most of its support in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll.

Just like many viewers Saturday night, Top 25 voters were confused when one second was put back on the clock after it appeared time had run out at Michigan Stadium. And they were dazed when JJ Buchanan came down with Bryce Underwood’s second Hail Mary pass to turn the four-touchdown-underdog Broncos’ 12-7 upset into a 13-12 loss.

The Mid-American Conference submitted appeals to the NCAA and the College Football Playoff administration asking for the result to be overturned to let the record show the Broncos actually won the game for purposes of rankings, evaluations and selection deliberations. The NCAA said its rules don’t allow a move like that and the CFP won’t release its first rankings until November.