Coming out of their cage

The GIST: As mentioned, the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines crushed No. 2 Washington 34–13 on Monday to win their first national championship since 1997. More impressive? The scandal-plagued Wolverines exceeded their sky-high preseason expectations despite heaps of off-field chaos. Hail yes.

The championship game: Two jaw-dropping TDs from junior running back Donovan Edwards gave Michigan an early lead, and they never looked back, rushing to a title-game record 303 yards.

• But the highlight was their trademark gritty D, which limited Washington’s high-powered offense to just one touchdown (TD). Guess defense really does win championships.

What it means: Everything. The Wolverines faced many (self-imposed) obstacles this season, but they turned the criticism into fuel, and they insist they earned this title fair and square. It’s hard to argue with eight straight wins — five of ’em over Top-25 teams — after the sign-stealing news hit headlines.

What’s next: The drama isn’t over yet — the NCAA’s still investigating Michigan for alleged misdeeds. And the investigations could be wearing on the aforementioned Harbaugh, who could now make the jump back to the NFL, a move he’s been flirting with for years.

• With or without him, Michigan’s roster will have some major holes to fill next season — but hoisting hardware should supercharge recruiting.

The GIST: Thanks to the shifting landscape of college sports, Monday’s natty marked the end of two eras: the four-team CFP and Pac-12 football.

The CFP expansion: Next year, the CFP will abandon its 10-year-old model, expanding from four to 12 playoff contenders. The new bracket-style tournament adds eight more playoff games and likely more postseason enthusiasm, viewership, and advertising money.

• Will the expanded format help avoid wild playoff snubs (and a firestorm of criticism)? There will always be bubble teams who don’t make the field, but this update brings more squads into the title hunt — which means more end-of-season drama.

The Pac-12’s final snap: Driven by Pac-12 football programs’ dissatisfaction with their media rights deal, last summer’s conference realignment bonanza means the Pac-12 gridiron — with its tradition of legendary QBs and after-dark gong shows — is officially closed for business. A whopping 10 of its 12 member schools will bail for other “Power” conferences by next fall — with other sports dragged along for the ride.

• The remaining Pac-2 — Washington State and Oregon State — have two academic years to rebuild the conference. In the meantime, they’ll compete with the Mountain West in football and the West Coast Conference in everything else.

• As for the departing teams, four will land in the Big Ten, four in the Big 12, and two in the ACC next season. Whether the new digs (and intense travel schedules) pan out remains to be seen, but truth and time tell all.

The GIST: Last night, the Nos. 1 and 2 men’s basketball teams shockingly fell on the road to unranked opponents. No need to dwell on that football-shaped college sports void — hoops will keep your jaw on the floor all winter long.

No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers lose 88–72 to the Nebraska Cornhuskers: The Huskers captured nine steals and shot a pristine 60.9% from the three-point line (compared to Purdue’s 39.4%) to bully the Boilermakers from start to finish, sealing their first win over a top-ranked team in 42 years. Turns out the reigning Player of the Year was no match for Nebrasketball.

No. 2 Houston Cougars drop 57–53 to the Iowa State Cyclones: How did the Cyclones ruined the last perfect record in Division I men’s hoops? By forcing Houston into sloppiness: The Cougars committed 16 turnovers and 19 fouls in the loss…and this dagger from Iowa State freshman forward Milan Momcilovic certainly didn’t help, either.