Player opt-outs shook up college football this season, with some bowl games losing their hype and underdogs pulling off upsets due to sidelined players.
Why it matters: Athletes who opt out of postseason appearances to stay healthy for the NFL Draft or to enter the transfer portal force their teams into games that can be more difficult to win.
Michigan pulled off a dominant 34-13 win over the Washington Huskies on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship to win its first national title since 1997.
Driving the news: The Wolverines won the old-fashioned way — with a punishing running game and a stout defense that contained Washington's dynamic air attack.
