To modify a favorite family motto that Jim Harbaugh yelled at least three times in the postgame victory ceremony of the Rose Bowl instead of asking questions:
Who has more controversy surrounding them this season in college football?
Nobody.
The No. 1-seed Michigan Wolverines came into the 2023 college football seasons with national championship expectations following an offseason fueled with anger and motivation from suffering a stunning 51-45 upset to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
With a slew of players returning from the 2022 team that finished 13-1, including an offensive line loaded with seniors, the Wolverines were ranked as the preseason No. 2 team in the country behind defending champion Georgia.
national championship Michigan 34, Washington 13
But the Wolverine’s path to Monday’s CFP national championship game in Houston vs. No. 2 Washington has been littered with controversy, scandal, investigations and suspension with most of it targeting Harbaugh as the head coach and overseer of the program.
It started a few days before Georgia dismantled TCU in last season’s title game.
On Jan. 6, news reports that Harbaugh and the Michigan football program were under investigation for a series of NCAA infractions, including allegedly hosting recruits during the COVID-19 dead period, having too many coaches at practice sessions and watching player workouts over a video feed. While those actions were only considered Level II violations and not worthy of serious punishment, NCAA investigators accused Harbaugh of lying to them during the investigations, which is considered a serious violation.
The NCAA and Michigan tried to negotiate a settlement for months, but the school ultimately levied a three-game suspension for Harbaugh. He could not coach the first three games of the season but was allowed to coach the practices leading up to them.
But that was just the start to the absurdity.
On Oct. 18, the NCAA informed the Big Ten Conference of allegations against the Michigan football program, saying it had “highly credible evidence of a wide-ranging, multiyear in-person, off-campus scouting scheme orchestrated by a non-coaching staff member of the University’s football program.”
The news broke a day later, and Harbaugh eventually released a statement denying involvement.
“I do not have any knowledge or information regarding the University of Michigan football program illegally stealing signs, nor have I directed any staff member or others to participate in an off-campus scouting assignment.”
But it was just getting interesting. The college football world was introduced to the name Connor Stalions on Oct. 20. The Michigan football analyst was identified by Yahoo Sports as the central figure in the sign-stealing operations, which included having several people videoing the signs of future Michigan opponents. He reportedly resigned Nov. 3.
From there, it would be four weeks of further revelations, continued accusations from past Michigan opponents and a consistent pushback from Michigan, including a court hearing to try staying a three-game suspension levied by the conference.
On Nov. 16, a day before the court hearing, Harbaugh accepted a three-game suspension by the conference, missing the final three games of the regular season. With offensive line coach Sherrone Moore serving as interim head coach, the Wolverines closed out the season undefeated, escaping near disaster in Maryland and knocking Ohio State from playoff contention. Harbaugh returned to coach in the Big Ten title game and has tried to ignore questions about his tumultuous season and shrug off queries about his future.
The possibility of further sanctions and penalties from the NCAA looms in 2024. Harbaugh’s yearly flirtation with the NFL is also expected to resume, particularly with heavy turnover to the roster due to graduation and the NFL draft.
As for Monday’s title game, here’s what else Husky fans should know about the Wolverines.
Players to watch
QB J.J. McCarthy, jr., 6-3, 202, LaGrange Park, Ill., (IMG Academy)
The Big Ten quarterback of the year has started 27 games in his career and has a 26-1 record with the only loss coming to TCU. In 14 games this season, he’s completed 230 of 314 passes (73.2%) with 22 touchdowns and four interceptions. In 39 career games, he has 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He ranks third in the country in ESPN’s all-encompassing quarterback rating at 89.5, behind Heisman winner Jayden Daniels (95.6) and Bo Nix (89.5). McCarthy is also expected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
RB Blake Corum, sr., 5-8, 213, Marshall, Va.
The hard-running Corum suffered a torn meniscus and sprained MCL against Illinois in the Wolverines’ second-to-last game of the 2022 season. The injury would eventually require surgery. But he surprised many by announcing he would return for his senior season in hopes of winning a national title. He’s played in all 14 games, rushing for 1,111 yards on 237 carries (4.7 yards per carry). Corum’s 25 rushing touchdown are the most of any player in the FBS level.
WR Roman Wilson, sr., 6-0, 192, Maui, Hawaii
Michigan’s top big-play threat and leading receiver in most categories, Wilson has caught 45 passes for 735 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 16.3 yards per reception and 12 touchdowns were second highest in the Big Ten, second only to Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison. He has elite speed to run past and away from defensive backs.
RG Karsen Barnhart, grad., 6-5, 316, Paw Paw, Mich.
RT Trente Jones, grad., 6-4, 325, Grayson, Ga.
The duo of graduate seniors are responsible for helping replace All-American right guard Zak Zinter, who suffered a gruesome lower leg injury in Michigan’s win over Ohio State. Barnhart started eight games at right tackle and four at left tackle, earning All-Big Ten second-team honors. But with Zinter’s injury, he transitioned to right guard for the Big Ten championship vs. Iowa and Rose Bowl. Jones, who was a utility lineman, appearing mostly at right or left tackle in nine games, took over Barnhart’s spot as the starting right tackle. UW will almost certainly test Jones by matching up top pass-rusher Bralen Trice against that side of the offensive line.
LB Junior Colson, jr., 6-3, 247, Brentwood, Tenn.
The Wolverines’ leading tackler with 89 stops, 8.5 tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks and five pass breakups. He had double-digit tackles in the Rose Bowl and the rivalry game vs. Ohio State. He’s considered to be solid in pass coverage, and those skills will be tested by UW.
CB Will Johnson, soph., 6-2, 202, Detroit
He drew comparisons to Hall of Fame CB Charles Woodson as a freshman. Now he’s considered a Top-10 pick by many draft analysts — only he’s not eligible for the upcoming draft. Johnson can’t enter the draft until after next season. He has the size and speed that NFL teams crave at the position. Earning first-team All-Big Ten honors the past two seasons, he had three interceptions and four pass breakups in 10 games this season. A matchup with Rome Odunze will make NFL talent evaluators salivate.
DB Mike Sainristil, grad., 5-10, 182, Everett, Mass.
Recruited as a receiver and making a combined 37 catches in 33 games overs his first three seasons at Michigan, Sainristil was transitioned to defensive back in 2022 and flourished. This season as Michigan’s nickelback, he picked off five passes and broke up six others. He earned first-team All-American honors from multiple outlets, including ESPN and The Sporting News. He will be tested by Washington’s talented corps of receivers and tight end Jack Westover.
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