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INDIANAPOLIS — Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh celebrated his return to the sideline Saturday by hugging players and evasively running to avoid a Gatorade bath.
Blake Corum and J.J. McCarthy were already reflecting on bigger goals.
And when the confetti came streaming down over the Wolverines, they made sure everyone knew they were no longer the nation’s second-best team.
Corum scored twice and the defense pitched a rare shutout as No. 2 Michigan routed No. 18 Iowa 26-0 for its third straight Big Ten title game, a third straight playoff berth and likely the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
“We set our goals earlier this year and this is another one we checked off,” Corum said after rushing for 52 yards on 16 carries and tying Anthony Thomas’ career record for TD runs with 55.
And with No. 1 Georgia falling to No. 8 Alabama in the Southeastern Conference title game, Michigan (13-0, No. 2 CFP) is finally poised to reach No. 1 after spending 13 of 14 weeks at No. 2. Michigan lost each of its previous two semifinal appearances and hasn’t won a national title since 1997.
Iowa (10-3, No. 16) never had a chance.
Harbaugh’s return meant he could finally savor a milestone moment on the sideline with his players after serving three-game suspension for an alleged sign-stealing scheme. He missed the 1,000th victory in program history and last week’s 30-24 division-clinching victory over archrival Ohio State.
Michigan fans booed loudly as first-year Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti presented the championship trophy and appeared not to even look at Harbaugh after he became the first coach in league history to win three straight outright conference championships. It’s also a school first.
Harbaugh didn’t seem to care about Petitti’s reaction, though.
“It made me feel super great,” Harbaugh said of the feat….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/no-2-michigan-beats-no-071740329.html
Author : NBC Sports
Publish date : 2023-12-03 07:17:40
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