First off, I'll give the officials the benefit of the doubt and say they made the right call. But that rule needs changed. Proposed rule #1: give the officials discretion to determine if the batting aided the batting team to avoid an Oakland Raiders-San Diego Chargers outcome. OR Proposed rule #2: the batting invalidates the fumble recovery but otherwise there is no additional penalty. So it would have been Michigan ball at the spot where the ball was going out of bounds.
As it is, the penalty is too extreme. No way should Michigan have been rewarded with a first down. Rule needs changed.
As it is, the penalty is too extreme. No way should Michigan have been rewarded with a first down. Rule needs changed.