Jim Harbaugh returned to the sidelines on Saturday to lead Michigan to its third Big Ten championship in a row, defeating Iowa 26-0.
The conference barred Harbaugh from Michigan’s last three regular-season games last month, intensifying a feud with college football’s most successful school for a sign-stealing plot that shook the sport.
Harbaugh denied any misconduct, and following this lopsided victory over Iowa, the coach issued a one-word assessment on the team’s latest achievement.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72943408/1837954310.0.jpg)
‘You guys have now won three Big Ten Championships in a row,’ the coach was asked on Fox Sports. ‘How do you feel?
Harbaugh simply yelled back, ‘Bet!’
That’s exactly how some players, including former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady, reacted to the news of his suspension last month.
Following the suspension announcement, Brady and company tweeted the word “Bet,” which is slang for “doubt.”
Blake Corum scored twice, tying the school record for touchdown runs, as No. 2 Michigan thrashed No. 18 Iowa on Saturday night, with Harbaugh back on the bench for the first time in four weeks.
After winning three straight outright conference titles for the first time in school history, the Wolverines are now anticipated to capture the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
With No. 1 Georgia losing to No. 8 Alabama in the Southeastern Conference championship game earlier on Saturday, Harbaugh and the Wolverines are positioned to capture the top playoff seed and advance to the national championship game.
Despite the loud celebrations, Harbaugh avoided being soaked in a Gatorade bath.
Michigan also set a new school record with 25 consecutive wins over Big Ten opponents. Corum equaled Anthony Thomas’ school career rushing touchdown record.
Corum, the league’s leading rusher, ended with 16 carries for 52 yards. JJ McCarthy, named the conference’s best quarterback this week, completed 22 of 30 passes for 147 yards.
It was more of the same for the Hawkeyes.
While the defense held strong, allowing touchdowns on 5- and 6-yard drives and four field goals, the offense produced only 155 yards, becoming only the second team in Big Ten title game history to be shut out in the last season of the East-West division setup. Ohio State began that era with a 59-0 thrashing of Wisconsin in 2014.
