Why Michigan’s CFP national title will not be stained if they defeat Washington

hipGiven the range and severity of fines imposed on teams in the past for transgressions, most notably nullified wins/championss, infractions including cheating must definitely be met with the harshest of penalties in due time, right? If not that, most people will see a Michigan national championship with a big asterisk next to it.

To begin, let us all agree that vacating wins, championships, or other honours, regardless of the transgression, is the most ludicrous penalty in college football. The NCAA’s belief that they can just go into their logbooks and hit backspace, therefore invalidating a team’s season(s) years later makes no sense. Those who were a part of not only that team but also that season, whether as a fan, analyst, concession stand employee, or otherwise, know who won those games. Attempting to eliminate it from existence seems completely illogical in the highest sense.

But, unlike the Wolverines’ own Big Ten conference, the NCAA has enough intelligence to conduct a thorough and extensive investigation when teams like Michigan break the rules. Tony Petitti through the season, as facts continued to pour in (and probably continue to do so), Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti was almost forced by fellow conference rival teams of Michigan to levy a penalty, resulting in head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for the Wolverines’ final three regular-season games.

But if the Wolverines win the CFP national title game on Monday and hoist the shiny gold and black trophy, neither the Big Ten nor the NCAA can do anything about it. The NCAA has no jurisdiction over the CFP. Sure, the Committee on Infractions can still come in years later and rule that Michigan’s victories must be vacated, but they won’t be able to take away their national championship. According to Steward Mandel of The Athletic, only the CFP is capable of doing so.

Remember, this isn’t the BCS era when USC was stripped of its national championship in 2004 due to sanctions against running back Reggie Bush. Also, keep in mind that this was after the fact, and the CFP committee was well aware of the facts and circumstances of Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal—at least as much as had been presented. So, if Michigan defeats Washington, the Wolverines will most likely fly a lifelong banner at the Big House that reads “2023 National Champions,” asterisk included.