By Mason Quigley

On Monday, January 8, blue and maize confetti fell onto NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, as the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Washington Huskies, claiming their 12th college football national championship and their first since 1997. The Wolverines completed their perfect 15-0 season with a trophy, but it did not come without controversy and scandal. 

Mike Sainristil with the National Championship Trophy. Photo credit: @umichfootball via Instagram.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh entered his ninth season as the head coach with a roster poised to make a trip to Houston. The Wolverines returned star players on both sides of the ball, such as quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, and defensive back Mike Sainristil, hoping to win the ultimate prize. Harbaugh was forced to watch Michigan from the stands for the first four games of the season due to a suspension from the NCAA, which punished Harbaugh for a recruiting violation. The Wolverines had no problem without their head coach, dominating their first four opponents. 

On October 19, the Michigan football program was struck with shocking news. The Wolverines had rattled off seven straight wins, cruising to a number two national ranking in the AP poll. The NCAA swiftly brought allegations against Harbaugh, the Michigan program, and Connor Stallions. Stallions, a little-known recruiting analyst, who had reportedly illegally scouted Michigan opponents in person, stealing their signs and signals. In-game photos were released of Stallions instructing Harbaugh on what other teams were going to do during games early in the season. 

As more information was revealed about Stallions, it was revealed that Stallions wrote a manifesto named “The Michigan Manifesto.” In his writing, he outlined the future of the Wolverine football program, in which he hoped to become the head coach ultimately. 

Following the allegations, the NCAA was quick to assign punishments to the program, suspending Harbaugh for the final three games of the regular season. This suspension would be Harbaugh’s second suspension of the season, forcing him to watch his team from afar for seven of his team’s twelve regular season contests. 

Despite the outside noise, the Wolverines continued to persevere as they marched into their final game of the regular season with an 11-0 record. Every year, in the final game of the regular season, the Michigan Wolverines face off against the Ohio State Buckeyes in a contest that dates back to 1897, in a rivalry known as The Game. 

The Game is always a highly anticipated matchup between two of the best football programs in the country; this year was no exception. Ohio State and Michigan held undefeated records and were ranked number two and three overall in the country, respectively.

Harbaugh started his Michigan coaching career with five straight losses in The Game, causing many Michigan fans to call for his dismissal. Harbaugh was retained, but the Michigan athletic department cut his salary nearly in half in 2021, forcing Harbaugh to earn his money by beating their archrival. Following the pay cut, the Wolverines topped the Buckeyes in 2021 and 2022. 

On November 25, 2023, Michigan again prevailed, 30-24. The Wolverines capped off the undefeated season by beating their rivals to go to the Big Ten championship game. 

The Wolverines would dominate Iowa 26-0 in the Big Ten championship on Dec. 2 before squeaking out an overtime victory over college football powerhouse Alabama 27-20 in The Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff Semifinal game. That game was also legendary coach Nick Saban’s last game on the sideline for the Crimson Tide.  

Michigan entered the national championship game favored to win over the number 3-seeded Washington Huskies. Washington, just like Michigan, entered the game with an undefeated 14-0 record, including wins over Oregon in the Pac-12 championship and Texas in the Sugar Bowl during the College Football Playoff Semifinal. Backed by Heisman runner-up quarterback Michael Penix and likely future first-round draft pick Rome Odunze, the Huskies also had their eyes set on the championship.

Jim Harbaugh at the championship trophy ceremony. Photo credit: @umichfootball via instagram.

The game was close, as Michigan led by only seven going into halftime. The Wolverines would eventually pull away, winning 34-13. Harbaugh finally won his first national title in his ninth season at Michigan, but it wasn’t without drama. 

Immediately after the confetti fell and the final whistle blew, questions began circulating on social media and throughout the college football world. People questioned the legitimacy of Michigan’s national title, wondering how Stallion’s actions contributed to the outcome of the Wolverines’ season. While some hoped for the national title to be stripped from the university, others praised the Michigan coaching staff and players for persevering with and without their head coach. 

To date, Harbaugh continues to deny that he ever knew about the stolen signs and was never exposed to that information, as Michigan continues to be under investigation by the NCAA. Although the investigation of the program is still ongoing, Harbaugh will no longer be there to receive any punishment. On January 24, 2024, Harbaugh signed a new contract to become the head coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, a team for which he played as a quarterback. 

Following Harbaugh’s departure from Ann Arbor, Sherrone Moore, the offensive coordinator on the national championship team, was hired to become the new head coach of the Wolverines. This was a popular decision with Michigan fans and college football analysts, as Moore is considered one of the brightest minds in football, already with a win against Ohio State under his belt after stepping in during Harbaugh’s absence. 

No matter what opinions anybody may hold about Michigan’s conduct, the Wolverines dominated the college football landscape in 2023 on their way to earning a national title. As information about the investigation continues to be revealed, conflicting opinions will continue to circulate. 

As everybody eagerly awaits a final ruling from the NCAA, the question still remains. Is there, and will there ever be, an asterisk by the 2023 Michigan football team?