Michigan Wolverines Win College Football National Championship

Michigan caps an undefeated season by going 15-0. What a year for College Football as the two best teams played for the National Championship. It felt like the Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines each had something pulling them to this moment. Michigan played the “The Wolverines vs The World” card while the Huskies felt like a team of destiny.

However, in the end, Michigan was able to come up with the big plays they needed to win their first National Championship since 1997. However, that year, they split the National Title with Nebraska. It is Michigan’s first sole National Championship and first in the era of the College Football Playoff. After losing the semifinals the last two seasons, the Wolverines completed their story in what potentially could be head coach Jim Harbaugh’s final game.

It was a weird game that had many twists and turns. Entering the game, Michigan’s game was going to be a factor, especially their front four. However, it was their running game that did their damage. But it was not Blake Corum; it was Donovan Edwards.

Edwards had 300 rushing yards during the season. Last season, he was more active in the offseason, this season it was Corum. However, on the first two scores of the game, it was Edwards who came out of nowhere to rip the Huskies defense for 86 yards and two touchdowns. It appeared this was going to be another rout, but Washington settled in.

The Huskies defense came up with some big stops, especially on third and fourth down in the second quarter, to allow Michael Penix Jr and that offense to get going. However, Penix Jr and that high-powered offense were just off on a couple of plays here and there. Penix Jr did not look like the player he did against Texas.

He was missing throws he normally makes all night. He overthrew Rome Odunze on an easy throw on fourth down. However, the defense came up with a stop and held Michigan to a field goal to make it 17-3. Then, on fourth down, the defense stopped Michigan. This allowed Penix Jr to drive the field to get a score to Jalen McMillan at the end of the second quarter, making the game 17-10 heading into the half.

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However, Michigan’s defense got to Penix Jr the whole game. He was not sacked, but the pressure was there. His timing was off. He threw a pick to begin the second half and as the teams exchanged field goals, this game was turning into a field position battle. The clock was on Michigan’s side.

The one thing to watch heading into this game was the Huskies’ run defense. It was 116th in the nation. They were able to stop Oregon twice, and though Texas was able to run on Washington, their defense came up with the goods. However, there were too many missed tackles by the Washington defense.

Michigan had over 303 yards of rushing offense.  It was similar to their game against Penn St early in the year, where they ran the ball 32 times. Corum finished with 134 yards and two scores. While Edwards had 104 yards rushing and two scores. Those two early scores were the difference in this game.

Again, Michigan’s defense just played better. They got in Penix Jr’s head all night long. The big plays that Washington normally make, they could not convert. That defense got him out of rhythm. It was the worst game Washington played all season. Michael Penix Jr threw two interceptions, the second one was picked up by Mikey Sainristil to seal the game. Corum punched in his second touchdown of the game to put the game out of reach.

Again, the story of the game as it has been all season: Michigan’s number one ranked defense stopped another highly touted offense. In fact, the Wolverines’ defense stopped the best offense in the nation.

In a year where the Michigan Wolverines faced so much adversity and controversy they can call themselves National Champions.