Jim Harbaugh reveals what it would mean to win national championship at Michigan

It’s been over 25 years since Michigan has claimed a national championship. Roughly a quarter of a century later and the Wolverines are undefeated and in prime position to party like it’s 1997.

To head coach Jim Harbaugh, winning Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship game against Washington would be incredibly rewarding — but not exactly in the way you might think. Above all, he wants his players to experience the football immortality that comes with winning the whole thing.

“The best part is just what it means for each guy on the team, each player on the team that their families can say my son is a champion. My son’s a national champion,” Harbaugh said during Saturday’s media availability. “For their grandparents, the relatives, brothers and sisters — to say my brother is a national champion. I feel the same way with my kids, for them to be able to know their dad’s a champion or my wife to know her husband’s a champion.

“It’s really for everybody else. And that’s what makes it so much better is that it’s just so many people involved that get to reap the reward of that.”

It’s hard to believe Harbaugh wouldn’t selfishly raise a glass to himself for a job well done if his squad does pull off the championship-winning victory. After two unsuccessful appearances in the 2022 and 2023 CFP semifinals, Harbaugh has his chance to win it all for the first time in his nine seasons coaching at his alma mater.

Regardless of how he chooses to celebrate, the job he’s done to keep his squad together in what was a controversial season should be commended. Michigan vs. everybody became more than a tagline on a t-shirt and their national championship berth is a testament to their team’s togetherness.

Now, Michigan has an opportunity to do something that Harbaugh has never been able to do as a player or a coach — win the national championship. Undefeated, this year’s Wolverine squad will look to replicate that success that the 1997 Michigan football team, which was led by Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson.

While no defender on Michigan’s squad had matched Woodson’s success this season — Michigan does boast the nation’s No. 1 overall defense, which they’re hoping will shut down Washington star Michael Penix Jr., who just passed for 430 yards in the CFP semifinal against Texas.

Everything goes down on Jan. 8 when the College Football National Championship game kicks off from NRG Stadium in Houston. The opening kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN.

Michigan will enter Monday’s matchup as a 4.5-point betting favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under total is set at 56.5 points.