The Sportsletter - Hail to the Victors 🏆

Powered By ON Running From Hansen's Shoes

BY JEFF YODER

JAN. 9, 2024 |  SUBSCRIBE  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning 👋

And a great morning to you, Michigan fans. Plenty of opinions will be had when we look back at the 2023-24 season for Michigan football. Through sign-stealing scandals, cheating accusations and plenty of podcast fodder, things quickly spiraled into "Wolverines against the world" these last few months. But as the college football season ends, guess what?... Wolverines, 1. World, 0.

🎶 Hail to the Victors 🎶

  CFB PLAYOFF  

Wolverines Against the World 🏆

Photo: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images

#1 Michigan Never Trails in CFP Title Game Against #2 Washington (34-13) to Win 1st College Football Championship in 26 Years

Bet. That was the Michigan rally cry after the chaos of the fall season befell the Wolverines. And no matter how you choose finish your own rendition of the “Hail to” fight song, be it "victors," "victims," or "villains," Jim Harbaugh’s crew did the unthinkable. Through every distraction imaginable in a season marred with scandal, Michigan ran the table (15-0) to complete a perfect season and win the College Football Playoff Monday night in Houston. A 34-13 blowout against Washington, and just one offensive TD allowed against the nation’s top offense, was a stunning result. Here’s how the Wolverines found their exclamation point to a season of glory.

1st Half: The first quarter and the final scoreline would fool a non-viewer into thinking the CFP title game was a cakewalk. It wasn’t. Michigan reeled off an instant 14-3 lead after backup RB Donovan Edwards sprung back-to-back touchdown runs from beyond 40 yards. Edwards had just two carries for 87 yards and two house calls in the first two drives. The title game looked like it might quickly get out of hand, but the Huskies answered before the half to make it 17-10.

2nd Half: On the first play of the second half, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. was picked off on a tipped ball. The Huskies hung around, though, and they even had a drive forming, down 20-13 early in the 4th quarter, that faltered in the red zone. A few key penalties bit the Huskies in key moments, and a 4th-down interception by Michigan's Mike Sainristil went 81 yards the other way to tack on more points and secure Michigan's first college football title in 26 years.

Wolverines Against the World

It was Oct. 19 when the story broke regarding the NCAA investigation into Michigan’s sign-stealing accusations and assistant coach Connor Stalions. That story came just weeks after head coach Jim Harbaugh was reinstated from a three-game suspension for recruiting violations. And thus, the college football world, and the entire sports world, had an opinion on Michigan. Were they cheaters? Or did they simply get caught doing what other teams do in the shadows? No matter where you stand, the Wolverines used that “us against the world” mentality as fuel. After the Big Ten pegged Harbaugh with another three-game sideline suspension, Michigan players and alumni everywhere posted: "Bet." From that day on, it was Michigan vs. Everybody. The result? Their first title since 1997. 

CFP Championship Game Notes (Team Stats)

• Wolves Run Wild: Both Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards went over 100 yards rushing and 2 TDs apiece. Michigan’s 303 rushing yards were the most ever in a college football championship game.
• 2nd Half Turnovers: Washington's 2 INTs in the 2nd Half led to 10 points off turnovers for Michigan. Both turnovers occurred in a one or two-score game with plenty of time left.
• Secondary Lockdown: Michael Penix Jr. was just 2-11 for 59 yards on passes  15 yards or more downfield. The Washington offense was ranked 1st in the country, but they couldn't hit on Monday.
• Huskies’ Key Penalties: Both teams committed five penalties, but Washington had two key flags in the 4th quarter that robbed them of big plays, including a hold on a 32-yard completion and an offsetting hold on a would-be 4th-down conversion.

CFP Championship Game Stats

Passing

QB J. McCarthy (MICH): 10/18, 140 yards

QB M. Penix Jr. (WASH): 27/51, 255 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

Rushing

RB B. Corum (MICH): 21 carries, 134 yards, 2 TDs

RB D. Edwards (MICH): 6 carries, 104 yards, 2 TDs

RB D. Johnson (WASH): 11 carries, 33 yards

Receiving

WR R. Odunze (WASH): 5 receptions, 87 yards

WR R. Wilson (MICH): 3 receptions, 54 yards

Watch: #1 Michigan Beats #2 Washington (34-13) to Win 1st CFB Championship in 26 Years

Coaches Who Won Titles at Alma Mater

Bear Bryant, Alabama (1960-70s)

Steve Spurrier, Florida (1996)

Phillip Fulmer, Tennessee (1998)

Kirby Smart, Georgia (2022-23)

Jim Harbaugh, Michigan (2024)

What Does Harbaugh Do Next?

One reporter in the postgame presser asked the question on everyone’s mind — would you like to add “winning the Super Bowl” to your list of accomplishments? Harbaugh paused for a few seconds before answering: “I just want to enjoy this… Can a guy have that? Does it always have to be, ‘what’s next?’”

Congrats to Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines. Hail to the Victors! 🎶

Read More

FOX Sports: Michigan Beats Washington for 1st Title Since ‘97

ESPN: What the World Was Like the Last Time Michigan Was National Champion

B/R: Winners & Losers From the 2024 College Football National Championship

CBS Sports: Will Jim Harbaugh Return to NFL? Michigan Coach Faces Decision After CFP Win

  GEAR UP!   

Celebrate, Michigan Fans!

Hail to the Victors! Homefield Apparel is our team’s favorite place to get college sports gear. Michigan fans can celebrate their CFP Championship win in style with Homefield’s awesome retro tees, hoodies, jackets and more. If you love college sports, you’ll love Homefield.

Let's Celebrate, Michigan Fans!

  POWERED BY  

ON Running From Hansen's Shoes

Treat Your Feet & Stay Active This Winter

If you’re anything like me, you rely on versatile shoes for all your athletic endeavors. Cloud 5 from On Running are the perfect shoes for an active lifestyle whether you need them for running, hiking, or just getting around town. When I received my Cloud 5’s, they instantly replaced my old running shoes. They look sweet, too. With zero-gravity foam and CloudTec technology, it feels like running on clouds. My knees and legs also feel less strained.

It's easy to get behind On Running because they design each shoe with select materials for a low environmental impact in an effort to make high-performance products with a minimal footprint. Stay active this winter and give your feet the feeling of freedom with Cloud 5 from On Running.

  NFL  

'Black Monday' Strikes 2

Photo: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images

Ron Rivera Joins Arthur Smith in End-of-Year Firings, But What About Bill Belichick?

‘Black Monday’ in the NFL struck again. The Commanders fired head coach Ron Rivera on Monday less than 24 hours after Washington’s season-ending loss to the Cowboys (38-10). Rivera was the second head coach released following the conclusion of Week 18 in the NFL, joining Falcons head coach Arthur Smith. There are now five teams entering the offseason with head coaching vacancies, and so far, the Patriots aren’t one of them.

NFL Staffing Changes

Commanders Fire Head Coach Ron Rivera

Falcons Fire Head Coach Arthur Smith

Panthers Fire GM Scott Fitterer

Jaguars Fire DC Mike Caldwell After 2 Seasons

Wink Martindale Resigns as Giants DC

Bill Belichick Still Under Contract With Patriots

Teams With Head Coaching Vacancies (5)

Falcons, Panthers, Commanders, Raiders & Chargers

Read More

FOX Sports: NFL Coaching Tracker: News, Rumors & Personnel Changes

Sporting News: 7 Best Coaching Candidates for Commanders

SI: Justin Fields’s Postgame Quote Sounded Like Goodbye to Bears Fans

  NBA  

Injury Bug Bites Star Guards

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

Bad News for Ja Morant (Grizzlies) & Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers)

The big news of the day in the NBA was a pair of injury announcements to two star point guards, and their teams will be in dire straights without their services. The Pacers are holding their breath for the moment, but the Grizzlies locker room might be pretty dark right now.

Tyrese Haliburton (Hamstring)

The Pacers offense is on pace to set all sorts of scoring records this season, but that now hinges on the MRI of Tyrese Haliburton’s hamstring. Hali, the Pacers' fast-break engine, suffered a left hamstring strain on an awkward drive last night against the Celtics. He fell and did the splits, and his Pacers teammates carried him to the locker room.

Ja Morant (Shoulder)

The Grizzlies had an abysmal start to their season, but getting Ja Morant back from suspension helped them go 6-3 and start to turn things around. Morant suffered a right shoulder injury in practice on Saturday, and the team announced last night that he’ll undergo season-ending surgery. Tough times ahead for Memphis.

  STORYLINES   

🏀 Draymond Green Nearly Retired

Golden State's Draymond Green said he contemplated retirement following his indefinite suspension last month, but a meeting with Commissioner Adam Silver convinced him to continue to playing. He’s set to return this week. (Bleacher Report)

⛳️ Tiger Woods & Nike Split

With a social media post Monday, Tiger Woods ended a 27-year relationship that began with a famous "Hello, World" campaign. Woods signed his first endorsement deal with Nike ($40 million) in 1996. So what’s next for Tiger? (Sports Illustrated)

🏈 The NFL Playoff Viewer’s Guide

The 2023 NFL playoffs are here, and the No. 1 seeds in each conference -- the Ravens in the AFC and the 49ers in the NFC -- will receive first-round byes. The remaining 12 teams will play in next week's three-day wild-card round. (ESPN)

  NEWS   📰 

• Washington Commanders Hire Ex-Warriors GM Bob Myers (B/R)
• Maple Leafs Sign William Nylander to Massive 8-Year Extension (CBS Sports)
• German Soccer Legend Franz Beckenbauer Dies at Age 78 (ESPN)
• Aaron Rodgers Addresses Jimmy Kimmel Comments, Jets Future in Exit Interview (Sporting News)

• Weather Forecasts Predict Bad Conditions Could Impact 2 AFC Wild-Card Games (Yahoo! Sports)

• Former NFL Coach Jon Gruden ‘Under Consideration’ for Role on Saints Coaching Staff (SI)

  SCHEDULE   🗓️

Today's Must-Watch List

🏀 NBA

Grizzlies at Mavericks (8:30 pm ET)

Raptors at Lakers (10:30 pm ET)

🏒 NHL

Canucks at Islanders (7:30 pm ET)

Oilers at Blackhawks (8:30 pm ET)

Bruins at Coyotes (9:00 pm ET)

🏀 NCAA Basketball

M: Missouri at #6 Kentucky (7:00 pm ET, ESPN)

M: #1 Purdue at Nebraska (9:00 pm ET, Peacock)

M: #12 BYU at #18 Baylor (9:00 pm ET, ESPN+)

M: #14 Duke at Pittsburgh (9:00 pm ET, ESPN)

  THE TEAM  

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

Please consider supporting The Sportsletter, an independently operated and bootstrapped publication, and you'll receive our exclusive Sunday edition. Many thanks to everyone who already supports us!

Did Someone Forward You This Email? Subscribe Here
Feedback? Contact Our Editor: Jeff@TheSportsletter.com
Not Loving The Letter? Unsubscribe

Copyright © 2023 The Sportsletter
717 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103