Houston was alive with the sound of victory Monday night as Michigan Wolverines' head coach Jim Harbaugh hoisted the national title trophy amidst showers of gold and white confetti, with the anthem "We Are the Champions" echoing in the background, according to reports. Harbaugh, finally meeting the sky-high expectations placed upon him with his return to his alma mater nine years ago, proved his mettle by coaching Michigan to a dominating 34-13 win over the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff National Championship at NRG Stadium, the Wolverines finished the season with an impeccable 15-0 record.
Michigan's ground game crushed Washington's defense with a mind-boggling 303 yards, the offense hitting hard and true, while the defense clamped down on Washington's quarterback Michael Penix Jr., intercepting him twice despite his Heisman Trophy runner-up status, "We're innocent and we stood strong and tall because we knew we were innocent", Harbaugh said in response to off-field distractions during their powerhouse season, and continuing to state, "It went exactly how we wanted it to go," which AP underscored.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines' star running back Blake Corum ran for two touchdowns in the final quarter, earning the title of offensive player of the game after missing last year's playoff due to a knee injury, "Michigan, this is for you," he told cheering Wolverines fans post-game, as gleaned from AP coverage. The Wolverines' victory march began with a sturdy first quarter led by Donovan Edwards' long touchdown runs, putting Michigan ahead early and setting a tone that would resonate throughout the game, despite Washington's brief rally.
The festivities in Houston had set the stage for the championship triumph from the start, the city serving as a carnival for college football fanatics who were treated to concerts from artists like Latto, 2Chainz, Jack Harlow, and even a Kidz Bop performance for the younger fans at the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live, as reported by The Houston Chronicle, the Playoff Fan Central at George Brown Convention Center was a 300,000-square-foot bonanza of sport, pep rallies, and exhibits.
NCAA investigation looms over the program for alleged sign-stealing and in-person scouting violations, leading to the suspension of Coach Harbaugh for a portion of the regular season and the notorious spotlight on low-level Michigan recruiting staffer Connor Stalions. Harbaugh's future remains in question with NFL rumors circulating, but for the moment, Harbaugh and his legion of "100 Michigan men" soak in the limelight as national champions, with his father Jack Harbaugh jubilantly asserting, "Who has it better than us?" and fans roaring back, "Nobody!", as Michigan etches its name onto the annals of college football history with its first national title since 1997 and a perfect season right before the College Football Playoff expands its horizons next year.
