Michigan began and ended the common season with out the providers of their head coach.
On Monday, Jim Harbaugh was on the sidelines as the Wolverines defeated Alabama 27-20 for the precise to play for the nationwide title on January eighth.
An exciting extra time recreation noticed Michigan shortly rating on the opening possession of OT with a 17-yard run by senior Blake Corum. With the sport on the road, the Wolverines’ protection took care of the remainder.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
The opening minutes for Michigan introduced again recollections of final 12 months’s CFP loss to TCU, the place turnovers turned out to be the distinction.
A close to interception by Alabama defensive again Caleb Downs and a muffed punt return recovered by the Crimson Tide, which ultimately resulted in a 34-yard scoring run by working again Jase McClellan – had Michigan wanting prefer it was reliving final 12 months’s nightmare.
However it was Harbaugh’s protection, which entered the competition permitting the fewest factors per recreation, which shifted the momentum again in Michigan’s favor.
Corum evened the rating on a 75-yard drive whereas the protection took care of quarterback Jalen Milroe, sacking him 5 instances within the first half, and Tyler Morris put Michigan forward along with his dance alongside the sidelines for a 38-yard landing catch.
However Alabama took again management within the second half, tightening up towards Michigan’s irritating go rush. McClellan would get his second landing of the night time on a three-yard run to provide the Crimson Tide their second lead of the night time.
Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy responded, orchestrating an eight-play, 77-yard drive with just below two minutes remaining to even the rating with a four-yard go to Roman Wilson and pressure extra time.
Corum staked his declare within the Michigan historical past books along with his 56th profession landing, and Alabama simply could not reply. On the Michigan 3, Milroe was stopped for no achieve on a sneak up the center on fourth down.
The Wolverines prolonged their win streak to 13 this season and, whereas being excellent on the sector, Michigan has had its justifiable share of controversy off the sector.
The Wolverines started their undefeated season with out head coach Jim Harbaugh after he served out a school-imposed three-game suspension over NCAA recruiting violations. Then, when Michigan was coming into its most difficult part of the season, Harbaugh was once more sidelined an extra three video games amid an investigation right into a sign-stealing operation that concerned former low-level staffer, Connor Stalions.
Regardless of the media frenzy surrounding this system, Michigan didn’t miss a beat.
Michigan continued to an 11-0 end and received its third straight convention championship with a 26-0 rout of Iowa. Now the Wolverines will now chase the college’s first nationwide title since 1997.
Michigan will subsequent face the winner of Texas vs. Washington within the CFP Nationwide Championship on January 8.
Fox Information’ Joe Morgan contributed to this report.
Observe Fox Information Digital’s sports activities protection on X and subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle e-newsletter.