Michigan’s last dance? After wild season, Wolverines can go out on top

HOUSTON — Last February, at a Michigan basketball game in the Crisler Center, Wolverines running back Blake Corum held a microphone and told the fans, “I promise you we’re going to win a national championship.”

“It was always for us Houston or bust,” he said on Saturday morning at the College Football Playoff media day.

Michigan, one of the most polarizing programs in college football this season because of its involvement in an alleged off-campus sign-stealing scheme, has made it to the sport’s biggest stage in spite of its controversy and because of it. Two separate NCAA investigations and a Big Ten ruling led to coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for a total of six games during the regular season. That could have derailed the Wolverines, but instead it galvanized them, sparking the “Michigan vs. Everybody” mantra that has further fueled a determination to win the national title after two straight losses in the CFP semifinals.

The question now is if No. 1 Michigan can beat No. 2 Washington on Monday night (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) in the CFP National Championship Presented by AT&T and close this tumultuous season with the program’s first national title since 1997 before the door to uncertainty opens again. Harbaugh has been quick to deflect questions about his level of interest in NFL jobs, but also hasn’t publicly reaffirmed his commitment to Michigan. The ongoing NCAA investigations — including one into alleged recruiting violations during the 2020 season — could result in sanctions as serious as further suspensions and vacating wins. The Wolverines also stand to lose several key players, including Corum, quarterback J.J. McCarthy and defensive playmaker Mike Sainristil.

“We always said since I was here, Michigan has never been ran by one man, not one coach, not one player,” running backs coach Mike Hart said. “Michigan always finds a way to have success. So I think that no matter what happens, what the future holds, we’ll be just fine.”

As straightforward and unblemished as Michigan’s 14-0 record appears, the Wolverines’ story this year was complicated. It’s impossible to untangle the team’s success from the sign-stealing allegations, one of the biggest stories in college sports this fall. Those within the program, though, have echoed the sentiment of their head coach, which is to focus on what they can control.

“Shoot, ever since coach was suspended, we wanted to show everybody regardless of what happens to this team and regardless of what adversity we face we’re going to still follow our mission,” said defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, “we’re going to still be 10 toes down together.”

For many of them, though, it will be the last time they line up together.

This is a senior-laden roster with a two-deep depth chart that features 20 players (including their kicker and long-snapper) who are fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-year seniors, including nine each on offense and defense. McCarthy is 26-1 as the Wolverines’ starting quarterback. Corum rushed for his 25th touchdown in the Rose Bowl win against Alabama, the most in a season in school history. Will Johnson, a sophomore defensive back who will return next season as one of the most talented players on the roster, said there’s a sense of urgency to win the national title because of the seniors who chose to come back “just for this game right here.”

“I think we also got young guys that they kind of play sparingly throughout the year and they will have a key role next year and I think they will be prepared for it,” he said.

What Johnson said he’s not concerned about right now is whether Harbaugh will return to lead them.