Michigan appeared to be turning a corner early in the second quarter of its College Football Playoff semifinal game against TCU. Jake Moody had kicked a field goal, and then the Wolverines found more good fortune in the form of a Rod Moore interception.
MORE: LIVE: Follow Michigan vs. TCU in College Football Playoff semifinals
After the quick change of possession, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy dropped a 50-yard pass to Roman Wilson that was initiallly ruled a touchdown. The Wolverives appeared to have cut its deficit to 14-9. Upon review, however, the touchdown call was overturned and the ball spotted at the TCU 1.
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The ensuing play spelled disaster for Michigan. Kalel Mullings fumbled the handoff from his fullback position and TCU recovered for a touchback.
MORE: Sporting News Coach of the Year: TCU's Sonny Dykes spearheads quick turnaround
Jjust about everything that could go wrong in that sequence did for Michigan, starting with the review. Should the call have been overturned? Here's video:
VIDEO: Roman Wilson caught a touchdown pass.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 31, 2022
Officials overturned it. pic.twitter.com/nzCpkMXd0D
The debate is twofold: When did Wilson have possession of the ball, and was the video evidence indisputable to overturn the call?
Replays: Michigan WR Roman Wilson’s touchdown catch that officials overturned after review pic.twitter.com/VWH0ydgn37
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 31, 2022
It was a bang-bang play, but Michigan made it a pivotal moment in the game with the fumble on the following snap. TCU scored later in the quarter to go up 21-3.
Michigan fumbles it at the goal line and TCU recovers 😲
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 31, 2022
The Wolverines have now driven inside TCU's 5-yard line twice and have scored zero points both times 🏈pic.twitter.com/g5j2SmBESB
Parts of college football Twitter, naturally, took issue with the overturn:
Roman Wilson was in the end zone by the time he had control of the ball. Somehow it's reversed, and Michigan fumbles at the 1. Wow. It's been one of those games where everything goes wrong.
— Derick Hutchinson (@Derick_Hutch) December 31, 2022
That was the worst review in history - that was a touchdown pass to Roman Wilson
— James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) December 31, 2022
Either way - this Michigan team has been a disaster inside the 5 yard line. WTF
I would've given Michigan the TD - but Roman Wilson's knee obviously hit at the 1/2 yard line. This is why you have to appreciate officiating by the letter of the law - you still have to make the half yard and Michigan botched the handoff, lost the ball. The "impossible" happened
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 31, 2022
Roman Wilson bobbles the ball initially, then gains control as he’s falling over the goal line. Questionable overturn, in my opinion. https://t.co/kSE1xmR5v7
— Aaron McMann (@AaronMcMann) December 31, 2022
So impassioned was the outcry against the overturn, "That's a TD" began to trend on Twitter.
As results-oriented as it was, this is the type of play that can define a game. The rapid emotional swing caused some whiplash for Michigan fans, who are not shy about voicing their frustration.
