You had to know it was coming. After the massive controversy over Michigan's win over Western Michigan last Saturday, the Big Ten announced it will expand its broadcast replay access.
For most who have watched Big Ten conference football games, it's become commonplace to have the refs go silent as they review replays with the replay official up in the booth. We don't know what they discuss, what footage they are looking at, or exactly why and how they reached their decision on the play being reviewed. That was all fine and good until Michigan was the beneficiary of one second being placed back on the clock and subsequently completing a Hail Mary on its second attempt to walk off a win against Western Michigan.
All the world could see the broadcast
clock striking 0:00 before the defender touched the ball, but Big Ten officials reportedly used a clock embedded on the replay system instead that was unknown and felt secret and under the covers because of a lack of transparency, like what we've seen from ACC crews that let fans look in on and listen to the deliberations and decision-making process.
Now, the Big Ten will adopt a similar model and will take no time to implement it, having the new access ready to go for this weekend.
"The Big Ten Conference on Wednesday shared an expansion of its plan to allow enhanced replay review insight during football broadcasts," the Big Ten wrote in a statement.
"Wednesday’s news is an extension of the September 1 announcement that the Big Ten would offer enhanced replay reviews during Friday night games this season.
"Beginning this Saturday (September 12), all football broadcasts from Big Ten venues that include Big Ten replay and on-field officials will be able to feature live audio between the game referee and replay official during reviews, alongside video of the game footage being viewed during the process and a view inside the state-of-the-art Big Ten Replay Center.
"This will include all conference games during the 2026 season as well as home non-conference matchups officiated by Big Ten crews. A complete list of those non-conference contests is below."
Saturday, September 12
Indiana vs. Howard (BTN)
Washington vs. Utah State (BTN)
Michigan State vs. Eastern Michigan (BTN)
Purdue vs. Wake Forest (FS1)
Nebraska vs. Bowling Green (FS1)
Wisconsin vs. Western Illinois (BTN)
USC vs. Louisiana (BTN)
Friday, September 18
Oregon vs. Portland State (BTN)
Saturday, September 19
Ohio State vs. Kent State (FOX)
Penn State vs. Buffalo (BTN)
Minnesota vs. Akron (BTN)
Wisconsin vs. Eastern Michigan (Peacock)
Illinois vs. Southern Illinois (Peacock)
Michigan vs. UTEP (BTN)
Indiana vs. Western Kentucky (Peacock)
Iowa vs. Northern Iowa (FS1)
Washington vs. Eastern Washington (BTN)
Nebraska vs. North Dakota (BTN)
Friday, September 25
Rutgers vs. Howard (BTN)
Saturday, October 10
Northwestern vs. Ball State (TBD)
Saturday, October 31
UCLA vs. Nevada (TBD)
This is a welcome change by the Big Ten, and credit for moving so swiftly. It's where things were headed anyway, but it makes sense to pull the trigger on the change now after all the hooplah from a win many believe Michigan didn't deserve.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Big Ten announces expansion of broadcast replay | Buckeyes Wire
