TLDR: In a triumphant conclusion to the four-team playoff era, Michigan claimed the national championship, solidifying itself as a powerhouse in collegiate football. With a flawless 15-0 season, Michigan joins the ranks of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Ohio State as a defining force. However, the upcoming expansion to a 12-team playoff heralds significant changes in college sports, making it easier for teams to qualify but harder to win against the sport’s traditional giants. The landscape is shifting, with new conference alignments like the expanding Big Ten and SEC. Since Jim Harbaugh’s tenure began, Michigan stands among the elite, boasting multiple championships and an impressive win record. This moment celebrates Michigan as an indelible part of a historic football era, illustrating a resurgence from their once-criticized past to their current esteemed status.

Well folks, it looks like Michigan football has hit the jackpot one more time. After clinching the national championship with an unblemished 15-0 record, the Wolverines are standing taller than ever. This isn’t just about the trophy; it’s a statement — a loud and proud one — that Michigan is sitting pretty amongst the top five college football juggernauts. And as someone who bleeds Wolverine blue, watching them dominate just feels like home.

Now, let’s talk about the shifting sands of college football. We’ve had a decade of a snug four-team playoff, which was quite an adjustment from the days of the BCS hoopla. But buckle up, folks, because we’re heading into genuinely thrilling (and chaotic) times as we leap into a mega 12-team playoff system. Sure, it’ll be easier for teams to sneak into those new playoff spots, but can these underdogs really go the distance against the titans like Michigan, Georgia, or ‘Bama? Let’s just say I’m not holding my breath for a Cinderella story.

The college sports scene is transforming faster than you can say “Go Blue!” Between the expansion of the Big Ten – yes, my beloved conference – and the SEC, and the crumbling of the Pac-12, we’re in for a landscape that none of us would’ve recognized in our backyard tailgates from years gone by. The Big 12 is piecing itself together with what looks like leftovers from the Group of Five schools and the fading Pac-10, and it’s all quite the puzzle.

As the clock struck zero on Michigan’s victory over Washington, it marked the end of an era – a crowning moment for us Wolverine fans. This winning season used to be a dream, and to see Michigan emerge as one of the pillars of this playoff era gives a sense of closure and pride. Expansion will make regular-season perfection less crucial, but let’s face it, consistency breeds success, and Michigan is no stranger to that game.

Under Coach Jim Harbaugh, Michigan has become more than a nostalgic tale from the past. Forget those years of jeering; we’re talking about a golden age where the Wolverines have amassed an enviable win record and multiple championships. Michigan’s revitalization isn’t a fleeting myth of yesteryears anymore. Based on their remarkable turnaround, they’ve proven they’re contenders not just historically, but in the thrilling future of college football too.