Big Ten is using enhanced replay access this season, in Friday games only

Published September 6, 2026 01:05 PM Last night’s controversial finish to the Western Michigan-Michigan game would have been somewhat less controversial if the Big Ten had deployed transparency in the replay process. While many would have still disagreed with the outcome, hearing the conversations that resulted in the conclusion that Michigan should have one more chance to win the game on a Hail Mary throw would have dulled, to some extent, the knee-jerk reaction that the fix was in.As it turns out, the Big Ten has dipped a pinky toe in the transparency waters for 2026. Earlier this week, the conference announced that Friday broadcasts will include “access to live audio between the game referee and replay official during reviews.”Unfortunately, it’s being used only for Friday games. This week, it was available for Purdue vs. Indiana State, Michigan State vs. Toledo, and USC vs. Fresno State.Here’s the remaining schedule: Oregon vs. Portland State (September 18); Rutgers vs. Howard (September 25); Indiana vs. Northwestern (September 25); Northwestern vs. Penn State (October 2); Washington vs. Iowa (October 9); Purdue vs. Washington (October 16); Illinois vs. Nebraska (November 6); UCLA vs. Illinois (November 13); Michigan State vs. Oregon (November 20); Iowa vs. Nebraska (November 27); and Wisconsin vs. Minnesota (November 27).Some transparency is better than none. But, obviously, it would have been better on Saturday night if the new approach to replay access by the Big 10 wasn’t a Friday thing only this season.