Michigan outlasted Alabama in overtime, 27-20, on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl. In doing so, Jim Harbaugh won his first bowl game as the Wolverines’ head coach since his very first season, and the team advanced to their first College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
Even though the Wolverines were the betting favorite heading into the Rose Bowl, most national media pundits picked against Michigan. Even though the well dried up for Pete Thamel on the NCAA sign-stealing investigation story, they continued to doubt the team that had still beaten Penn State and Ohio State without their head coach — and without the sole mastermind behind the investigation.