Michigan went a perfect 15-0 on the season to complete years of good form with the ultimate prize – the College Football Championship.  

Both teams entered the final 14-0 and were aiming to be perfect on the season when they eventually stood on the mountaintop of college football.

Jim Harbaugh and No. 1 Michigan were unrelenting all year and survived the media circus around Harbaugh to maintain their composure during the season. Harbaugh hailed his starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy as the best to ever play for Michigan and expressed his belief that his star could lead the team.  

The Wolverines opened the game with an impressive drive and they set the stage for what would be a dominant day. On the eighth play of the game, Donovan Edwards found a slot on the left side and took a 41-yard sprint to score the first points of the game. It was clear the Huskies were in for a long night. The Michigan defence would get key stops in the red zone and limit Washington to just a field goal. Michael Penix Jr, quarterback for Washington seemed out of sorts and threw three incompletions in one possession and the defense of the Michigan would make life very difficult for the usually sterling quarterback.  

Donovan Edwards scampered for 46 yards to notch his second rushing touchdown of the quarter and the lead ballooned to 14-3 with two minutes to go in the interval. With the opening drive of the second quarter, the Wolverines ploughed through the Michigan defence and added to their lead with a made 31-yard field goal. 

After the Huskies’ defense stopped Michigan on 4^th and 2, they set up a favourable drive and they cashed in on good field position and Penix Jr saved the drive on 4^th down for a touchdown pass to narrow the deficit to one score going into halftime.  

The second half would begin with an interception by defensive back Will Johnson, who picked off Penix’s pass during the first possession for Washington. This set up good position for the Wolverines and the made field goal lead to a 10-point lead for Michigan.  

The Huskies would respond with a 47-yard, seven-play drive to set up a 45-yard field goal which got punched in by Washington kicker Grady Gross. The Huskies had again reduced the deficit to a single touchdown with just a quarter left in the Championship.  

After both offences reaping limited success, it was Michigan who would break the stagnation through Blake Corum, who elbowed his way through a missed tackle to notch a 12-yard rushing touchdown. This was the 57^th rushing touchdown of his college career, a Michigan record.  

The offensive woes would continue for Washington and Penix as he threw yet another interception and defensive back Mike Sainristil carried the ball for 81 yards to set up an easy possession for the Wolverine offence. 

With an unbelievable display on defence, the Wolverines stifled a prolific Washington offence and went on to win 34-13. The offence had their own spectacular night, particularly Corum and Edwards. Corum’s 125 rushing yards, coupled with Edwards’ 104, make history as the first time in the CFP era that two running backs on the same team have eclipsed 100 yards on the ground.  

After nine seasons coaching his alma mater and in his third consecutive playoff appearance, Harbaugh delivered the title so many expected when he took over a struggling powerhouse in 2015. J.J. McCarthy showcased his arm as well as his legs as he tossed for 140 yards on the night in stark contrast with Penix’s worst night of his career.

This is Michigan’s first national title since 1997.