GBMWolverine
Fansided

5 things we learned from Michigan football's national championship win

Michigan football did the unthinkable and won a national championship. Here are five things we learned from the Wolverines win.

By Chris Peterson

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh lifts up the trophy as players and coaches celebrate after their
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh lifts up the trophy as players and coaches celebrate after their / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next

The best defense in Michigan history

It's hard to rank any group over Michigan's 1997 defense. That team also won a national championship and featured Heisman winner Charles Woodson, as well as a bunch of other greats.

However, they didn't face the challenges that this defense faced. Not only did this Michigan football team have to beat at elite Ohio State program, but they also had to beat Alabama, as well as Michael Penix, the best quarterback in college football this season.

Penix was elite at throwing the ball down the field. But he wasn't on Monday night. He only completed one ball down the field and attempted 51 passes for 255 yards. Penix also threw two second-half interceptions which sealed the game for Michigan football.

The Wolverines were the first defense since Minnesota in 1903 to hold every opponent under 24 points. Heck, only three teams all season scored 20. It was insane. All three levels of the defense were elite and there wasn't a single weakness anywhere.

They stopped Ohio State and Alabama with the games on the line. And in the national championship game, Michigan football made the best offense in college football look average. They also went 15-0 which makes them the greatest team and defense in Michigan football history.

Home/Michigan Football