Michigan’s punishing running game and swarming defense led to a 34-13 victory over Washington in the College Football Playoff final at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday night.
The game was billed as a battle between Michegan’s renowned defense, ranked first in the nation, and Washington’s Heisman Trophy-finalist Michael Penix Jr.
The Wolverines pressured Penix throughout the game and forced two interceptions, while Michigan running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards rushed for 134 and 104 yards, respectively, scoring two touchdowns.
“There are over 100 Michigan men in uniform tonight,” Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh said during the trophy presentation. “What they’ve accomplished over the last 372 days is amazing. We’re national champions.
The victory capped a turbulent 15-0 season, with Michigan accused of hatching a massive sign-stealing scheme, which led to Harbaugh’s brief suspension late in the campaign. 
This is the final year of the four-team CFP, as next season’s tournament will expand to 12 schools, potentially avoiding controversies like last month’s omission of then-undefeated Florida State.
Florida State became the first undefeated major team left out of the CFP, as the Seminoles were bypassed for undefeated Michigan and Washington, followed by one-loss Alabama and Texas.
The number of national titles that a college or university can claim has been a source of contention since the inception of collegiate football.
Michigan, depending on who you ask, has just won its tenth or twelveth national title. The NCAA and the university disagree on titles from 1932 and 1947, when Michigan went undefeated, with the university claiming the national championship in both years. Both the NCAA and Michigan agree that this will be their first national championship since 1997.
Michigan’s status as the winningest program in FBS football history is less controversial. Michigan is the only program in history with more than 1,000 victories, and this is win number 1,004.
The Huskies are trailing in a variety of statistical categories, but it is still a one-score game — and Washington has the ball.
Michigan outgained Washington 360-220, and Washington committed the game’s only turnover.
However, Michael Penix Jr. and his team are just one big play away from trying it out.
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