The Michigan Wolverines are on top of the college football world after dismantling the Washington Huskies 34-13 in a commanding performance to capture the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship. Behind a fierce pass rush and gritty offensive attack, Michigan capped off an improbable title run that few expected when the season kicked off months ago.
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Relentless Defense Sets Tone from Outset
From the opening snap, Michigan unleashed a menacing defensive front that terrorized Washington QB Sam Adams all night. The Wolverines came at Adams in waves, racking up seven sacks and keeping the elusive signal-caller largely bottled up outside a pair of touchdown scrambles.
Behind standout edge rushers Mike Morris and Jaylen Harrell, Michigan held Washington to just 5 of 18 on third downs while limiting the Huskies’ usually prolific offence to 326 total yards. With Washington racing to catch up all game long, the Wolverines’ stingy defence proved an insurmountable obstacle on the biggest stage.
Offense Delivers Steady Scoring to Pull Away
Meanwhile, Michigan QB Ryan O’Hara overcame a sluggish start to guide Michigan’s offence on multiple long-scoring drives. After Washington tied the game 7-7 in the 2nd quarter, O’Hara racked up first down after first down with pinpoint passes while RB John Centeio punished the Husky’s defence on inside runs.
A 10-play, 82-yard drive right before halftime gave Michigan a 14-7 lead, which quickly ballooned to 28-7 behind O’Hara’s precision passing out of halftime. Centeio delivered the final blow with a 60-yard burst as Michigan assumed complete control, up 34-13.
First Title Since 1997 Caps Michigan’s Great Year
The decisive victory fulfils a storybook turnaround under third-year coach Ryan Roberts, who inherited a flailing program in 2022 fresh off a dismal 2-10 season. Picked to finish just 5th in the Big Ten, Michigan flew under the radar early on before emerging as a surprise contender after several upset wins.
By season’s end, Michigan had captured the Big Ten title for the first time since 2004 while earning the right to challenge for the program’s first national title since 1997. After pulling off a semifinal stunner over Alabama, Michigan left no doubt that its improbable championship run was no fluke with a commanding performance on Monday night.
Dynasty Talk Already Swirls for Resurgent Wolverines
With key contributors like O’Hara, Morris, and Harrell set to return next season, Monday’s championship may be the start for Michigan. Several analysts already peg the Wolverines as a top playoff contender in 2025 thanks to Roberts’ fast-building juggernaut.
For now, Michigan supporters will soak in a title 26 years in the making – the sweet capstone to a turnaround that defied all expectations and foreshadows plenty more glory ahead for the boys in maize and blue.
