The noise doesn't go away.
In fact, that amount is likely to increase as the national championship game approaches.
Jim Harbaugh's future as coach at the University of Michigan is in deep doubt, with rumors persisting that this may be his last game as the Wolverines' coach before returning to the NFL.
It creates a fascinating dynamic as the University of Michigan prepares to take on Washington on Monday at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Harbaugh led the Wolverines to their third straight Big Ten title and on the verge of winning their first title since 1997.
However, this season was full of ups and downs.
The incident began when he received a three-game suspension imposed by his school amid an investigation into suspected recruiting violations.
He was later suspended for three more games by the Big Ten following a sign-stealing and in-game scouting scandal.
Most recently, Harbaugh reportedly hired a new agent, Don Yee, who has an inexhaustible network of contacts in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Michigan offered Harbaugh a hefty 10-year contract extension believed to be worth $125 million, but the 60-year-old has yet to sign.
“Hey, brother, I'm working on it,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel told FOX Sports. “Trust me. I've been working on it.”
With the win in Houston, Harbaugh was able to keep his alma mater in the top spot, leading the school to that elusive title in his ninth season.
But will he do so even if he suffers a loss? Or is the pull of the NFL that strong and all the sanctions that could befall Michigan State?
That's the biggest story of this showdown. Will Jim Harbaugh stay or go?
Here are three other stories from the national championship game.
A matchup you can't miss
Washington, on the other hand, leads the nation in passing yards per game (350.0) and ranks 11th in points scored (37.6).
It features Heisman Trophy runner-up Michael Penix Jr. and perhaps the best receiver trio in the country in Roman Odunze, Jalyn Polk and Jalen McMillan.
Michigan, in turn, ranked third in the nation in pass efficiency defense, second in passing yards allowed per game (150.0) and first in points allowed (10.2).
The Wolverines' front seven is an elite, opportunistic bunch that sacked Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe six times in the Rose Bowl and committed 25 turnovers as a unit.
The overwhelming performance held Alabama to the second lowest total score of the season, but it is worth noting that Washington crushed the strong Texas defense to 532 yards of total offense and 37 points.
When the Huskies have the ball, it promises to be a great matchup, with explosive offense against an overwhelming defense.
SEC excluded
This will be the first time the powerhouse SEC will not play in the national championship game since 2015, the first year of the playoffs.
It has crowned the past four champions and five of the previous six champions.
In a twist, Michigan vs. Washington will actually be a Big Ten League game next year, with the teams facing each other in Seattle on Oct. 5 next season.
If Washington wins, it will become the Pac-12's first champion since USC in 2004, the last year of the conference's existence.
another quarterback
Penix became the talk of the sports world on New Year's Day with an impressive 430-yard passing performance in a win over Texas.
When it comes to quarterbacks in the championship game, he will likely dominate the headlines, especially when it comes to his future in the NFL.
But let's not forget his nemesis, JJ McCarthy. McCarthy started 27 games at Michigan, winning 26 of them.
With the Wolverines' season on the line, he remained calm and in control, leading the Wolverines on an eight-play, 75-yard drive that matched Alabama in the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl.
After the dramatic overtime win, Harbaugh said: “I've said it before, this guy here is the greatest quarterback in the history of Michigan football, college football history.” That's an exaggeration, of course, but even if his numbers aren't usually that impressive, McCarthy is I found a way to win.
