Joel Klatt had one stat in mind that really showed how dominant the Michigan defense was in the national championship.

The defense allowed 13 points in 13 offensive Washington possessions. The Washington offense had major problems moving the ball against Michigan and a big part of that was due to the defensive line.

“In college football, the most important unit on the field to win the national championship is currently the defensive line,” said Klatt on the latest edition of The Joel Klatt Show. “The best defensive line in college football for the last 3 years has won the national championship. They just destroy everybody at the line of scrimmage. They allow the defense to win safer coverages, which doesn’t allow Washington to create big plays. … Now again the defensive line wins the national championship… They scored 13 points in 13 possessions, that’s the best stat of the day.”

It didn’t stop there. Besides allowing 13 points, Michigan also held Washington under 50 yards rushing and 2.3 yards per rush. It was a long game for the Huskies because of what the Wolverine defense did to them.

When the smoke cleared, it was a 34-13 win for Michigan in what was its 1st title since 1997. The defense is mostly to thank for the win.