Sep 6, 2026 · 1h 9m
Michigan’s finish exposes college football’s review problem
Week 1 Reaction Show: Big Ten ROBS Western Michigan + LSU Splatters Clemson
Josh Pate uses a disputed Michigan win and Auburn thriller to examine officiating, replay confusion, and the appeal of a chaotic opening weekend.
- 1Michigan’s 13–12 win over Western Michigan ended in a confusing sequence that Pate argues exposed flaws in officiating and review.
- 2Auburn’s victory over Baylor was messy but resilient, with turnovers and late tension making it one of the weekend’s most gripping games.
- 3Pate connects the weekend’s drama to neutral-site excitement, his ESPN debut, and upcoming tests for Ole Miss, Louisville, and Notre Dame.
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Pate breaks down Michigan’s confusing 13–12 conclusion as a pro-wrestling-style “dusty finish.”
The brief
From Nashville, Josh Pate opens with Michigan’s disputed 13–12 win over Western Michigan, using the weekend’s chaos to question how college football handles officiating.
The Michigan ending becomes the episode’s central argument: a pro-wrestling-style “dusty finish” made the result difficult to follow, especially while watching from the road.
Auburn’s close win over Baylor offers a different kind of drama, as turnovers, resilience, and an ugly-but-gripping contest earn Pate a 3.5-Chalai entertainment rating.
Pate closes by previewing the Apple Cup, Ole Miss–Louisville, and Notre Dame–Wisconsin while reflecting on neutral-site games, his ESPN debut, and Baton Rouge.