The Big Ten Conference is expanding its replay review process for football broadcasts to enhance transparency. Starting this week, audiences will be able to hear live audio between the game referee and replay official during reviews, as well as view video of the footage being analyzed and an inside look at the Big Ten replay center.
Originally planned only for Friday night games, this enhancement will now apply to all conference games and home nonconference matchups with Big Ten officiating. The change follows controversies surrounding a recent game where Michigan was allowed a second chance at a Hail Mary pass against Western Michigan. According to NBC, their replay suggested that the clock had expired before the play concluded, raising questions about the timing.
Despite the controversy, the Big Ten affirmed the call was correct, based on the game clock in the stadium. However, Western Michigan, part of the Mid-American Conference, is appealing the game’s outcome after initially accepting the Big Ten’s explanation.
