This title was rightfully Michigan’s. However, the pointless and foolish scandals will never be forgotten.

Investigation of Michigan for sign-stealing stems from NCAA rules made to curb financial advantages - The San Diego Union-Tribune

It doesn’t change the reality that Michigan didn’t have to cheat to win. It was all so pointless and foolish, yet it will always be a part of this season’s history.

Houston — Jim Harbaugh stepped out and gave his 84-year-old father, Jack, a bear hug among the blue and corn confetti that had fallen onto the field at NRG Stadium and the crowd of Michigan football players and family snapping photos and donning T-shirts.

With a few moments of unbridled delight and delirious love, he lifted him off the ground and held him there. Subsequently, Harbaugh faced his mother Jackie, who angrily exclaimed, “You did it! You succeeded!

Everything about Harbaugh has been more complicated than it has to be for the past few months. But in the end, it came down to this: Michigan had won the College Football Playoff title game here, defeating Washington 34–13, to become the national champion—and rightfully so.

a record of 15 to 0.

winning against Ohio State, Alabama, and Washington to close up the season.

the nation’s top squad from the opening play till the last play.

The Wolverines left no doubt on the field. Therefore, why did Harbaugh feel the need to say the following at a press conference after it was all over?

“We are not guilty.”

I’m not here to inform you that Michigan’s much-awaited national victory is tainted—it’s the team’s first straight championship since the Korean War. It is indisputable how Michigan finished this season by defeating the top collegiate football team this year despite numerous unsettling off-field incidents. In the most significant games, the winning team prevailed, and they did so fairly.

However, the Wolverines made it simple to be disillusioned with what ought to have been a fantastic tale of college football.

Following ten years of Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson dominating the playoffs, you wanted something fresh and different? This was Michigan, a team that hadn’t truly been in the running for a title since they shared one in 1997.

Do you want a squad that isn’t based on blue-chip talents and recruiting rankings? Here was Michigan, a program with classes that hardly caused a stir on signing day yet outperformed and outdeveloped everyone else.

In a time of skillful offense and poor tackling, you desire football that is tough, basic, and old-school? Michigan was reducing opponent after opponent to dust in this situation.

After two heartbreaking playoff losses and a fulfilled quarterback J.J. McCarthy vow that the Wolverines will return, are you looking for a comeback story? Here was Michigan, seizing the entire season by the scruff of the neck and turning its hopes into reality.

Would you like an overly idealistic story about a former Michigan quarterback who fell in love with the program, returned as a coach, almost lost his job, and then brought it back to greater heights than it had ever known? Here was Harbaugh, stating following the game that it would mean everything to be remembered as a Michigan man when he was laid to rest.

That was the Michigan squad. This was the story. When few believed it was possible, they managed to generate greatness.

This is nothing fancy, Harbaugh remarked. “Just some good ol’ fashioned hard work and teamwork.”