The Michigan Wolverines finished their undefeated season as the 2024 College Football Playoff National Champions. They took down the Washington Huskies on Jan. 10, 34-13. It was the program’s third College Football Playoff, and against the Huskies, they finally got over the hump to win a championship.
The Wolverines kept the Huskies far away from their side of the field and decimated their run defense, out-gaining them 443 yards to 301. Washington had two turnovers, but Michigan was able to hold onto the ball every possession. While Washington stuck around for a majority of the game, Michigan pulled away in the fourth quarter in large part due to Blake Corum’s two touchdowns that sandwiched a Mike Sanristil interception that garnered an 81-yard return.
Despite winning the National Championship, Michigan’s season has been far from drama-free. Head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended for the first three games of the season for lying and failing to comply with NCAA investigators. Then later in the season, he received another three-game suspension, this time from the NCAA, as part of the Michigan sign-stealing scandal.
However, the off-the-field drama didn’t matter in the long run. Michigan took care of business the first three games, and even without Harbaugh, they defeated their bitter rival Ohio State. Most teams would struggle without their head coach, especially one as impactful as Harbaugh, but Michigan didn’t stumble and instead climbed to the top.
Once Harbaugh was back on the field, Michigan dismantled Iowa 26-0 in the Big Ten Championship Game and locked up the #1 seed in the college football playoff on Dec. 2. Then, in the Rose Bowl, the College Football Playoff semi-final game, Michigan outlasted Alabama in a thrilling overtime win. J.J. McCarthy connected with wide receiver Roman Wilson for a game-tying 4-yard touchdown with 1:34 left and sent the game into overtime. Corum punched in a 17-yard touchdown run on Michigan’s first overtime drive, and after Alabama proceeded to march down to the 3-yard line, quarterback Jalen Milroe was stuffed in the backfield. On 4th & Goal, the Wolverines secured their ticket to the National Championship.
Their spirit, dedication and hard work allowed them to pull off a close-to-perfect season. The players persevered despite coach drama and collected their first championship in 26 years. The program is at its peak right now, but rumors of Harbaugh leaving and many players entering the NFL Draft will stand as another obstacle for the program next season as they work to reach the top once again.
