CFP National Championship first look: Michigan vs. Washington

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

All season, it was "Michigan vs. Everybody" within the walls of the Wolverines' program.

Now, it's down to Michigan vs. Washington.

The No. 1 Wolverines (14-0) will face the No. 2 Huskies (14-0) in the College Football Playoff National Championship game on Jan. 8 at NRG Stadium in Houston. This year's title game -- the last in a four-team playoff before the field expands to 12 in 2024 -- will feature two undefeated squads making their first appearance in the championship game in the BCS era.

Galvanized by accusations of an elaborate cheating scandal that became the biggest story of the season, Michigan has found ways to overcome obstacles and win -- a consistent trait that propelled them to a 27-20 overtime victory against SEC champion Alabama on Monday night in the CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game Presented by Prudential.

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/39224218/first-look-college-football-playoff-national-championship-michigan-washington

[hlthe2b]

1. I don't deny Michigan's play got them there (and of course Washington as well)...

And, I DO get not punishing the players for the misdeeds of the coordinator(s) and coach.

But I'm still wondering what message we are sending college football that cheating has essentially been rewarded. One can argue that technology used in the NFL can take care of this issue, but what about the next innovative scheme?

Well, add it to the very long list of things NCAA badly needs to address.

[LisaM]

3. It was a second tier rules infraction.

Sign-stealing itself is not illegal. The perp is long gone and Michigan didn't have a coach for three of its biggest games. We clearly didn't have access to any signs for most of the season. Justice was served.

I think there has been a huge overreaction to this. This got more ink than the guy at Alabama who handed a gun to a murderer or the member of the Georgia staff who went out drinking and street racing with players after last year's championship game. People died. Media barely peeped.

And the players, who had absolutely nothing to do with any of it, got snubbed for every major award this season, much to the glee of several Washington Husky fans I know who are gloating over that fact.

Moreover, the Michigan players stuck together and came back for a final season together, a marked contrast to people who are cruising around the transfer portal. Then they dealt with all this noise over a minor issue. I am proud of them. They are an enormously likeable group.

[hlthe2b]

4. so, Michigan fans disingenuously say. NCAA has failed to police this BULLSHIT as did Harbaugh.

Last edited Wed Jan 3, 2024, 10:09 AM - Edit history (1)

I do agree that it is hard to hold players responsible (and we should not)-- and their play all season was exceptional--so, on that we agree. But, coaches that run roughshod on the rules and ethics--which Harbaugh has repeatedly, need not to be rewarded. The assistant coach (Sherrone Moore) who stepped in did a remarkable job. Michigan would do well to move forward with him rather than continue defending Harbaugh's excesses and abuses of the system. I've never been a big fan of Alabama's Saban (albeit have always had respect for him), but in comparison, he deserves every bit of admiration gained over the decades. He sets an example for his teams. Michigan will get that from Moore, IMO, but not Harbaugh.

Edited to correct 'Saban' misspelling

[Dulcinea]

5. The UGA story

the member of the Georgia staff who went out drinking and street racing with players after last year's championship game. People died.

That was big news here in Atlanta.

[LisaM]

6. As it should have been but it got very little national press.

And I am guessing that it's against team policy for the staff to fraternize with the players but Kirby Smart didn't have to pay any price (though to be fair, I am sure it affected him personally and I am not trying to imply otherwise).

Jim Harbaugh turns out good people. They do well in the pros, they seem to mature in college, and this year, even with all the NIL money, the players are using some of it to run charity drives and buy food for struggling families, and so on.

Teaching college players to be good citizens is an enormously important facet of college coaching, often overlooked.

This whole sign stealing thing has been so overblown it's bizarre and there is clearly a personal angle to it. People dislike Harbaugh, though I am not really sure why it's at the level it is.

[gibraltar72]

2. McCarthy didn't have his usual game

and still they prevailed. Blue is a balanced team and pick up for one another.