HOUSTON (AP) — Jim Harbaugh and No. 1 Michigan completed a three-year climb to a national championship by beating No. 2 Washington 34-13 Monday night in the College Football Playoff title game. Blake Corum ran for 134 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns for the Wolverines. Michigan was undeterred by suspensions and a sign-stealing case that shadowed the program much of the season. The Wolverines sealed their first national title since 1997 when Corum blasted in from the 1-yard line with 3:37 left. Harbaugh delivered the title so many expected when he took over a struggling powerhouse in 2015.
HOUSTON (AP) — Michigan’s three-year climb to the summit of college football ended with its 34-13 over Washington in the College Football Playoff championship game. Now the Wolverines and their fans wait and see if Jim Harbaugh stays or goes. Harbaugh deflected all questions about his future, but decision time is drawing near as NFL franchises begin or consider searching for new coaches. Harbaugh looked into NFL jobs the last two years before deciding to stay at Michigan. It’s possible he won’t this time.
HOUSTON (AP) — The College Football Playoff championship was quite the stage for Washington and Michigan to get reacquainted with each other. The top-ranked Wolverines won the national championship with a 34-13 win Monday night. Starting next season, they will compete against each other for Big Ten titles every year. The Big Ten’s coast-to-coast expansion began in the summer of 2022 when it voted in Southern California and UCLA beginning in 2024. The Pac-12’s demolition was assured just over a year later when it failed to land a lucrative media rights contract. Oregon and Washington in August accepted invitations from the Big Ten.
HOUSTON (AP) — Michigan was voted a unanimous No. 1 in the final Associated Press college football poll of the season after the Wolverines beat Washington to win their first national title in 26 years. The Wolverines received all 61 first-place votes. Washington was second, the Huskies’ best final ranking since finishing No. 2 in 1991. That year, Washington was No. 1 in the final coaches’ poll to claim its only national title. Texas, Georgia and Alabama rounded out the top five. Florida State, left out of the playoff after a perfect regular season, finished tied with Oregon for sixth.
HOUSTON (AP) — Washington’s Dillon Johnson had a tough night Monday in the College Football Championship title game. He was hurt on Washington’s first offensive play and finished with just 33 yards rushing as Michigan got a 34-13 victory. Johnson was actually dealing with multiple injuries as the Huskies fell short of winning their first title since 1991.
UNDATED (AP) — The College Football Playoff has delayed changing the 12-team format to decrease the number of spots reserved for conference champions from six to five. The head of the board that needs to approve the move said he would be shocked if the change is not made for next season. CFP officials say the Pac-12 asked for the delay. The change would guarantee five spots in the playoff for conference champions and have seven at-large berths available.
UNDATED (AP) — Purdue is still atop the AP Top 25 but Houston has jumped Kansas into second place as the last unbeaten team in Division I men’s college basketball. The Boilermakers picked up five more first-place votes and has 54 of the 63 available. The Cougars received seven first-place votes after improving to 14-0 for the third time in school history. Kansas had the other two first-place nods but fell to third. Defending national champ UConn and Tennessee rounded out the top five. San Diego State, Utah State and Creighton are ranked at the expense of Ole Miss, James Madison and Providence.
UNDATED (AP) — South Carolina remains No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll and is one of just three unbeaten teams left in women’s college basketball. No. 2 UCLA and No. 4 Baylor are the others. Iowa moved up to third after previously unbeaten N.C. State lost to Virginia Tech. The Wolfpack fell to sixth. Colorado was fifth. North Carolina and UNLV are back in the poll while TCU and Syracuse dropped out.
