Convenience Big Store: Maize and blue heaven: Michigan wins national title in Houston

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Michigan's fight song declares the Wolverines "the champions of the west." Go ahead and add the north, south and east as well for 2023. Michigan took home the College Football Playoff championship Monday night at NRG Stadium, taking Washington by storm early and adding a finishing kick. The Wolverines were paced by a dynamic two-pronged rushing attack. After the victory, coach Jim Harbaugh stonewalled about his future in Ann Arbor but proclaimed his team's innocence when it came to alleged off-field transgressions. As for Washington, the Huskies bemoaned the missed opportunities that kept them from making it a game. Please scroll down for more CFP coverage.

The Rockets opened a season-long road trip in Miami, with their coach saying they were outsmarted in a loss to the Heat.

Simply put, DeMeco Ryans has made Houston proud in his first year at the Texans' helm, writes Jerome Solomon. Jonathan M. Alexander shares five things to watch in Saturday's playoff opener against the Browns. The Panthers, again looking for a new coach, ask for permission to talk to Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.

UH, the nation's lone remaining men's basketball team, treks to Iowa State tonight for the Cougars' first Big 12 road game.

Stat of the day: 3. Consecutive college football national championships won by coaches leading their alma maters: Georgia's Kirby Smart and Michigan's Jim Harbaugh. Before that, Tennessee's Phillip Fulmer in 1998 was the last coach to lead his alma mater to a national title.

Greg Rajan, Texas Sports Nation editor

greg.rajan@houstonchronicle.com

CFP championship: Michigan 34, Washington 13

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh raises the championship trophy after defeating Washington 34-13 during the national championship NCAA College Football Playoff game at NRG Stadium, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Houston.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Maize and blue heaven

On a stormy night, Michigan unleashed an early torrent and then finished off Washington late for the Wolverines' first national championship in 26 years.

Run to glory: Michigan running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards became the first teammates to rush for 100-plus yards in a CFP title game, pacing the Wolverines' victory.
Stonewalling: After his first national championship in 26 years, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh proclaimed his team's innocence off the field and did his best to stave off all questions about his possibly leaving for the NFL.
What might've been: Washington had chances to seize game with the national title on the line against Michigan, but the missed opportunities doomed the Huskies in the College Football Playoff championship.
How they did it: Michigan won its first outright national title in 75 years. Here's how the Wolverines' victory over Washington played out Monday at NRG Stadium.
Eye on the future: The Harris County-Houston Sports Authority hopes its success with this year's Michigan-Washington final serves as a statement regarding future opportunities.
Springing a leak: The inclement weather led to an odd sight before the game: water making its way through the NRG Stadium roof.
All about Metroplex: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh's love for the state of Texas seems particularly pointed toward recruiting Dallas — with no offense to Houston.

Rockets / NBA

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) drives to the basket over Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

Photo by: Marta Lavandier/Associated Press

Losing brain battle

A loss in Miami to begin the season's longest road trip prompted Rockets coach Ime Udoka to say his team was "outsmarted."

Lost on the road: The Rockets failed to keep up with the Heat, dropping Houston's road record to 3-11.
The longer, the better: Houston's average time of defensive possession is 14.6 seconds, fourth-longest in the NBA, and shows a correlation to winning.
West's best: After a stellar homestand, Rockets center Alperen Şengün is named Western Conference Player of the Week.

Texans / NFL

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reacts after clinching a playoff spot with a 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Indianapolis.

Photo by: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer

Doing the city proud

Instead of confusion or chaos, there has been cohesion and competence in DeMeco Ryans' first season at the helm of the Texans, writes Jerome Solomon.

Lessons for round 1: The Texans' run defense took a step back against the Colts, and the offense needs another receiver to step up for C.J. Stroud against Cleveland in the postseason opener.
Person of interest: The Panthers have requested to speak to Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik for their head coaching job.
Object of their affection: Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to get a lot of national love, including appearing on the set of The Pat McAfee Show at NRG Stadium.
From basement to best: Not even the Astros, who went from baseball laughingstock to World Series champion, had a one-season improvement like the Texans just experienced.