The rain-soaked atmosphere outside the Rose Bowl couldn't dampen the spirits of the Michigan Wolverines as they prepared to face off against Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal. Sitting under a big white tent, the team reflected on the challenges they had triumphed over throughout the season. According to star running back Blake Corum, it was those very challenges that made Michigan stronger physically and mentally, propelling them to an undefeated record and a top-ranking spot.
With coach Jim Harbaugh's suspensions and a slew of abrupt changes, this year proved to be a profoundly messy one for the Wolverines. However, they refused to let these setbacks define them. Instead, they embraced the adversity and used it as fuel to come together as a team. As defensive lineman Kris Jenkins put it, 'Michigan Against the World was real this season,' but they didn't allow the negativity to affect them. Their unwavering belief in themselves and the culture they had built carried them through.
