Thread: 2023 24 College football bowl games

No Monday night NFL game. But good news.......

Michigan Wolverines Vs Washington Huskies - Monday, 8th January 2024 at 7 : 30 pm EST

South Dakota State wins second-straight FCS championship | NCAA.com

Michigan tops Washington to win CFP national championship

In the end, the "Michigan vs. Everybody" mantra that inspired the Wolverines all season long was quite fitting.

The Wolverines did indeed square off against everybody this season -- from the NCAA to its own Big Ten conference to the No. 2 team in the nation on Monday night on college football's greatest stage. On and off the field, Michigan refused to let any opponent, any NCAA investigation, or any of the six games head coach Jim Harbaugh was suspended for get in its way of winning a national title.

And on Monday night, when it mattered the most, No. 1 Michigan did it again, beating No. 2 Washington 34-13 before an announced crowd of 72,808 at NRG Stadium to earn the school's first national championship since 1997, when it shared the honor with Nebraska. The Wolverines asserted themselves from the opening kickoff and never trailed against the Huskies (14-1).

Michigan's national title will always be entangled with what was the biggest story in college football this season, allegations of a wide-spread sign-stealing scheme allegedly led by former staff member Connor Stalions, who resigned Nov. 4. As polarizing as the program has been nationally, though, those within it have only been galvanized by the controversy and accusations.

In what was the first national championship game appearance for both teams, Michigan became the sixth team in major college football history to finish 15-0 or better in a season and set the Big Ten's record for the most wins in a season.

Michigan had all of the pieces in place for the perfect season -- starting with a veteran quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who wasn't flashy, but won the turnover battle against Heisman runner-up Michael Penix Jr., who threw two interceptions.

Michigan's offensive line won the battle up front and paved the way for a dynamic duo at running back in Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. They each ran for over 100 yards and together accounted for four touchdowns. Michigan had the stingy defense that flustered Penix Jr. all night, making it far more difficult for the Huskies to have success in the deep passing game -- or any real passing game at all.

This was arguably the most talented Michigan team in decades, one that built its success on not only a senior-laden roster, but also discipline, rarely racking up penalties and turnovers. It wasn't, though, without its flaws.