Those who stayed became champions for University of Michigan Football’s Team 144.
Although they ended their season as National College Champions with a 15-0 season record, it wasn’t an easy journey for the Wolverines. Favored as a contender for the National Championship, Michigan’s football program was entangled in an alleged sign-stealing scandal regarding prohibited in-person scouting of opponents for the past three seasons. Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti instantly banned Head Coach Jim Harbaugh from coaching in the team’s final three regular-season games against Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State. Whilst fighting allegations, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore stepped up for the team, leading the Wolverines to win all three games.
In my opinion, Michigan won a National Championship because they earned it, not because of cheating. Now before you jump down an 18-year-old girl’s throat calling me partial or a nuisance, listen to Heisman winner and Michigan Football alumni, Charles Woodson. According to The Wolverine On3, Woodson claimed “If people are going to call us cheaters, then we might as well go win it all.” He also claimed “This would be a team that went through the gauntlet. This would be a team that went through the playoff. This is a team that went and beat the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl. And if they can get it done against Washington, I’ll give it up. They’d be the greatest team in Michigan history.” And that is exactly what they did. Team 144 managed to block out the noise and make history by becoming one of Michigan’s greatest teams finishing with a perfect record.
What makes Michigan Football’s Team 144 so special that it became historic? In the 2023 season, key players and captains including running back Blake Corum, offensive lineman Zak Zinter, offensive lineman Trevor Keegan, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, linebacker Michael Barrett and defensive back Mike Sainristil could’ve declared for the NFL draft as last season concluded, however, they decided to stay. Additionally, Harbaugh stated during a press conference after the Rose Bowl win that junior quarterback McCarthy is the greatest quarterback to play at the University of Michigan in college football history. With immense talent in both new and returning players, Michigan looked unstoppable.
Possessing the skill, displaying the grit and maintaining the record, even without having their head coach present and key player injuries, nothing would silence the haters. If anything, I believe this ignited determination in these players. They believed in themselves but needed to prove no one could credit their success to cheating. Team 144 had to win a National Championship in order to prove their talent. And that is exactly what they did. Pushing through double overtime, Michigan clinched the win against the Alabama Crimson 27-20 in the Rose Bowl advancing to play Washington for the National Championship. Shocking the world and proving themselves, Team 144 made history beating Washington 34-13. Who has it better than them? Nobody.
Regardless of winning it all, Michigan Football will always face hate regarding the scandal. Fans irritated that their team didn’t execute nearly as spectacular of a season will always resort to blaming Michigan’s success on the cheating allegations. People have even spun Jim Harbaugh being hired as the LA Chargers head coach and Roman Wilson, Zak Zinter, Kris Jenkins, Braiden McGregor, Josh Wallace, Junior Colson, J.J. McCarthy, Blake Corum and more declaring to the NFL Draft, as cowardly or leaving after their “lucky” season, when realistically, Michigan looks to have a building year next season after losing such key components. However, this team stuck together through every up and down, never losing faith in one another or their coach. This prevailed over the scandal and drove them to success. Those who stayed became champions.
