Blake Corum discusses 'process over prize' mindset ahead of national championship game

‘Michigan vs. Everybody’ has been, and remains the mentality for Wolverines star running back Blake Corum heading into Monday’s College Football Playoff National Championship against Washington.

Corum explained what has prompted his straight-and-narrow mindset, and how he will use it to try and fuel his team to its first national championship in over a quarter of a century.

“We said that like day one at camp. This whole season has been process over prize just because we have gone through a lot, a lot of adversity and trials and tribulations,” Corum said on Saturday. “We always stuck to the process. Never got distracted. Because we stuck to the process we’re here today as brothers and as the University of Michigan and the Wolverines. It’s been process over prize since the first day of camp. I’m glad we stuck to the plan.”

On paper, it shows how much Corum has embodied the ‘process over prize’ mentality. He’s carried a massive load for the Wolverines during 2023 coming into the national title game with 237 carries for 1,111 yards and 25 touchdowns. That comes directly after the most productive year of his career in 2022, totaling 1,463 before suffering a season-ending injury in The Game against Ohio State.

Apart from his rushing totals, he is also the most prolific touchdown scorer in Michigan football history. Corum has 59 scores to his credit through four seasons in Ann Arbor, breaking former running back Anthony Thomas’ record (55) that stood for over two decades earlier this season.

But it’s not just Corum who has this mindset inside the Wolverines’ program. He sees it throughout the offense, defense, the coaching staff — and they’re not going down against the Wolverines without a fight.

“I think we’re ready to eat our last meal. We’re hungry. We’re not full at all. We’re starving,” Corum continued. “Last week’s game was cool. Last week’s game was fun. … But right now, we’re just focused on our practice, executing at a high level, paying attention to detail, making sure we can watch as much film as we can to make sure Monday we come out on top.”

Statistics and records will be thrown out the door once opening kickoff ensues. The national title game is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET live on ESPN. The Wolverines are 4.5-point betting favorites to begin the weekend, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over/under total is set at 56.5 points.