Wolverines seal their ‘perfect story’ with CFP title
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Heather Dinich, ESPN Senior Writer
HOUSTON — In the end, the “Michigan vs. Everybody” mantra that inspired the Wolverines all season long was quite fitting.
The Wolverines did indeed square off against everybody — from the NCAA to their own Big Ten conference to the No. 2 team in the nation Monday night on college football’s greatest stage. On and off the field, Michigan refused to let any opponent, any NCAA investigation or any of the six games its head coach was suspended for get in its way of winning a national title.
And Monday night, when it mattered the most, No. 1 Michigan did it again, beating No. 2 Washington 34-13 before an announced crowd of 72,808 at NRG Stadium to earn the school’s first national championship since 1997, when it shared the honor with Nebraska. The Wolverines asserted themselves from the opening kickoff and never trailed against the Huskies (14-1).
“I feel like this has been the perfect happy ending,” said running back Donovan Edwards, who averaged an astounding 17.3 yards per carry and finished with 103 yards and two touchdowns. “A lot of personal success, a lot of personal failures, but our ultimate goal was to win a national championship. … There’s no other feeling than to go through what we have and still come out on top. So perfect story, a lot of adversity — Coach Harbaugh’s not there for six games — perfect story.”
Michigan’s national title will always be entangled with what was the biggest story in college football this year: allegations of a widespread sign-stealing scheme allegedly led by former staff member Connor Stalions, who resigned Nov. 4. As polarizing as the program has been nationally, though, those within it have only been galvanized by the controversy and accusations.
“It fueled us,” Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham said. “Everything that we’ve been through, everything they tried to do to us, tried to discredit everything we did this season. Winning this game solidifies we’re that team. … Coach Harbaugh’s on the plane and he doesn’t even get to go to our game against Penn State. Our back’s been against the wall, but this team’s different.”
So is its head coach.
After the confetti had fallen, Harbaugh found his parents on the field and first wrapped his 84-yeard-old father — a spitting image of himself — in a bear hug, lifting him up off the ground. He turned to his mother and did the same, planting a kiss on her and saying, “We did it!”
“For me personally, I can now sit at the big person’s table in the family,” said Harbaugh, a former Michigan quarterback in his ninth season coaching his alma mater. “They won’t keep me over there on the little table anymore. My dad, Jack Harbaugh, won a national championship and my brother [John] won a Super Bowl. It’s good to be at the big person’s table from now on.”
In what was the first national championship game appearance for both teams, (Michigan’s ’97 shared title with Nebraska was won one year before the first BCS National Championship game) Michigan became the sixth team in major college football history to finish 15-0 or better in a season and set the Big Ten’s record for the most wins in a season.
The Wolverines did it the old-school way, with a relentless running game that racked up 303 yards, and a stifling defense that flustered Heisman runner-up quarterback Michael Penix Jr. into two interceptions.
Michigan jumped out to a 14-3 first-quarter lead, but Washington responded with a 3-yard touchdown from Penix to Jalen McMillan that sent the Huskies to the locker room trailing 17-10. That was the only touchdown, though, they would score.
“They’re a good team,” Penix said. “We just didn’t execute in the moments when we needed to. It’s just about executing. I don’t feel like they did anything — I feel like we beat ourselves.”
Michigan had all of the pieces in place for the perfect season — starting with a veteran quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who wasn’t flashy, but won the turnover battle against Penix.
Michigan had the burly offensive line that won the battle up front and paved the way for a dynamic duo at running back in Blake Corum and Edwards. They each ran for over 100 yards and together accounted for four touchdowns. Corum, who missed last year’s CFP with a knee injury, was named the game’s Offensive MVP after totaling 134 yards and two touchdowns.
Michigan also had the stingy defense that flustered Penix all night, making it far more difficult for the Huskies to have success in the deep passing game — or any passing game at all. Penix completed 27 of 51 pass attempts (53%) for 255 yards and a touchdown.
“That was a spectacular game by our defense,” Harbaugh said.
This was arguably the most talented Michigan team in decades, one that built its success on not only a senior-laden roster, but also discipline, rarely racking up penalties and turnovers. It wasn’t, though, without its flaws.
There was the NCAA investigation into alleged recruiting violations during the 2020 season, and a separate NCAA investigation into a widespread sign-stealing scheme. There was also Harbaugh’s three-game suspension to open the season, and another three-game suspension to end the season — the latter was imposed by the Big Ten for violating the league’s sportsmanship policy by illegally going off-campus to steal signs.
Michigan’s motivation extended beyond that, though, going back to its Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU to end the 2022 season — the program’s second straight CFP semifinal loss.
“I’d say we came a long way, but in order to accomplish things like this, you’ve got to go to those dark places where everything’s not great,” McCarthy said. “And just the response, the urgency right after that last game last year, it was different. I knew it. Just from being on the podium last year and saying we would be back. I knew the guys that were coming back. I had this feeling that it was going to be where we are right now.”
With Harbaugh sidelined for the final three games of the regular season, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore led the Wolverines to critical wins against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State. When asked what the phrase “Michigan vs. Everybody” mean to him, Moore said, “If you’re not with us, you’re against us.”
With Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti watching from a suite with Big Ten staff, Big Ten Network staff and guests, Michigan did what it has done all season in spite of the controversy — it outplayed its opponent.
Michigan averaged a whopping 19.3 yards per carry in the first quarter. The Wolverines won the battle up front and created confusion for Washington’s defense. Michigan had four plays of at least 35 yards, and the Huskies’ defense allowed 209 rushing yards in the first half — the most the program has allowed in a half since 2011.
Washington’s 17-3 deficit in the first quarter was its largest of the season.
With 10:27 remaining in the first half, Washington’s Rome Odunze, one of the top receivers in the country, was wide open and within scoring range when Penix overthrew him on a daring fourth-and-7 play the Huskies desperately needed to swing the momentum.
At one point in the fourth quarter, Penix had completed just 26.7% of his passes thrown at least 5 yards (4-of-15) and had thrown an interception. With 4:29 left in the game, he threw another one which Mike Sainristil ran back 81 yards to Washington’s 8-yard line. The play set up Corum’s second touchdown that put the Wolverines ahead 34-13.
It was the second time in the second half a touchdown by Corum provided some separation. With 7:09 left in the game, Corum ran 12 yards for a touchdown that put the Wolverines ahead 27-13. It was a Hollywood ending for Corum, who lead the FBS with 27 total touchdowns and is unlikely to return next season. He has had a rushing touchdown in 15 straight games, the longest streak by a Michigan player in the past 20 seasons.
“Coaches always say, playmakers make plays, and don’t wait on anyone else to make a play,” Corum said. “Today was a complete, complete team effort.”
McCarthy completed 10 of 18 passes because he didn’t have to be a hero in the air with so much success on the ground. As McCarthy left the locker room after the game to go to the postgame news conference, he exhaled.
“Oh man,” he said, “we did it.”
Against everybody.
The 2025 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby is fast approaching — and the field is set.
Braves hometown hero Ronald Acuna Jr. became the first player to commit to the event, which will be held at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 14 (8 p.m. ET on ESPN). He was followed by MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, James Wood of the Washington Nationals, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, Brent Rooker of the Athletics and Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees.
On Friday, however, Acuna was replaced by teammate Matt Olson.
With all the entrants announced, let’s break down their chances at taking home this year’s Derby prize.
Full All-Star Game coverage: How to watch, schedule, rosters, more
2025 home runs: 17 | Longest: 434 feet
Why he could win: Olson is a late replacement for Acuna as the home team’s representative at this year’s Derby. Apart from being the Braves’ first baseman, however, Olson also was born in Atlanta and grew up a Braves fan, giving him some extra motivation. The left-handed slugger led the majors in home runs in 2023 — his 54 round-trippers that season also set a franchise record — and he remains among the best in the game when it comes to exit velo and hard-hit rate.
Why he might not: The home-field advantage can also be a detriment if a player gets too hyped up in the first round. See Julio Rodriguez in Seattle in 2023, when he had a monster first round, with 41 home runs, but then tired out in the second round.
2025 home runs: 36 | Longest: 440 feet
Why he could win: It’s the season of Cal! The Mariners’ catcher is having one of the greatest slugging first halves in MLB history, as he’s been crushing mistakes all season . His easy raw power might be tailor-made for the Derby — he ranks in the 87th percentile in average exit velocity and delivers the ball, on average, at the optimal home run launch angle of 23 degrees. His calm demeanor might also be perfect for the contest as he won’t get too amped up.
Why he might not: He’s a catcher — and one who has carried a heavy workload, playing in all but one game this season. This contest is as much about stamina as anything, and whether Raleigh can carry his power through three rounds would be a concern. No catcher has ever won the Derby, with only Ivan Rodriguez back in 2005 even reaching the finals.
2025 home runs: 24 | Longest: 451 feet
Why he could win: He’s big, he’s strong, he’s young, he’s awesome, he might or might not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. This is the perfect opportunity for Wood to show his talent on the national stage, and he wouldn’t be the first young player to star in the Derby. He ranks in the 97th percentile in average exit velocity and 99th percentile in hard-hit rate, so he can still muscle the ball out in BP even if he slightly mishits it. His long arms might be viewed as a detriment, but remember the similarly tall Aaron Judge won in 2017.
Why he might not: His natural swing isn’t a pure uppercut — he has a pretty low average launch angle of just 6.2 degrees — so we’ll see how that plays in a rapid-fire session. In real games, his power is primarily to the opposite field, but in a Home Run Derby you can get more cheapies pulling the ball down the line.
2025 home runs: 20 | Longest: 479 feet
Why he could win: Buxton’s raw power remains as impressive as nearly any hitter in the game. He crushed a 479-foot home run earlier this season and has four others of at least 425 feet. Indeed, his “no doubter” percentage — home runs that would be out of all 30 parks based on distance — is 75%, the highest in the majors among players with more than a dozen home runs. His bat speed ranks in the 89th percentile. In other words, two tools that could translate to a BP lightning show.
Why he might not: Buxton is 31 and the Home Run Derby feels a little more like a younger man’s competition. Teoscar Hernandez did win last year at age 31, but before that, the last winner older than 29 was David Ortiz in 2010, and that was under much different rules than are used now.
2025 home runs: 16 | Longest: 463 feet
Why he could win: If you drew up a short list of players everyone wants to see in the Home Run Derby, Cruz would be near the top. He has the hardest-hit ball of the 2025 season, and the hardest ever tracked by Statcast, a 432-foot missile of a home run with an exit velocity of 122.9 mph. He also crushed a 463-foot home run in Anaheim that soared way beyond the trees in center field. With his elite bat speed — 100th percentile — Cruz has the ability to awe the crowd with a potentially all-time performance.
Why he might not: Like all first-time contestants, can he stay within himself and not get too caught up in the moment? He has a long swing, which will result in some huge blasts, but might not be the most efficient for a contest like this one, where the more swings a hitter can get in before the clock expires, the better.
2025 home runs: 23 | Longest: 425 feet
Why he could win: Although Caminero was one of the most hyped prospects entering 2024, everyone kind of forgot about him heading into this season since he didn’t immediately rip apart the majors as a rookie. In his first full season, however, he has showed off his big-time raw power — giving him a chance to become just the third player to reach 40 home runs in his age-21 season. He has perhaps the quickest bat in the majors, ranking in the 100th percentile in bat speed, and his top exit velocity ranks in the top 15. That could translate to a barrage of home runs.
Why he might not: In game action, Caminero does hit the ball on the ground quite often — in fact, he’s on pace to break Jim Rice’s record for double plays grounded into in a season. If he gets out of rhythm, that could lead to a lot of low line drives during the Derby instead of fly balls that clear the fences.
2025 home runs: 19 | Longest: 440 feet
Why he could win: The Athletics slugger has been one of the top power hitters in the majors for three seasons now and is on his way to a third straight 30-homer season. Rooker has plus bat speed and raw power, but his biggest strength is an optimal average launch angle (19 degrees in 2024, 15 degrees this season) that translates to home runs in game action. That natural swing could be picture perfect for the Home Run Derby. He also wasn’t shy about saying he wanted to participate — and maybe that bodes well for his chances.
Why he might not: Rooker might not have quite the same raw power as some of the other competitors, as he has just one home run longer than 425 feet in 2025. But that’s a little nitpicky, as 11 of his home runs have still gone 400-plus feet. He competed in the college home run derby in Omaha while at Mississippi State in 2016 and finished fourth.
2025 home runs: 17 | Longest: 442 feet
Why he could win: Chisholm might not be the most obvious name to participate, given his career high of 24 home runs, but he has belted 17 already in 2025 in his first 61 games after missing some time with an injury. He ranks among the MLB leaders in a couple of home run-related categories, ranking in the 96th percentile in expected slugging percentage and 98th percentile in barrel rate. His raw power might not match that of the other participants, but he’s a dead-pull hitter who has increased his launch angle this season, which might translate well to the Derby, even if he won’t be the guy hitting the longest home runs.
Why he might not: Most of the guys who have won this have been big, powerful sluggers. Chisholm is listed at 5-foot-11, 184 pounds, and you have to go back to Miguel Tejada in 2004 to find the last player under 6 foot to win.
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