Analyst ranks Michigan football No. 1, cites JJ McCarthy as the deciding factor

In 2021 and 2022, Michigan football finished among the nation’s top 3, winning Big Ten titles and appearing in the College Football Playoff during both seasons. In 2023, the Wolverines are expected to take a giant step forward and finally compete for the program’s first national title since 1997. Ahead of this massive season, college football analyst Rece Davis ranked Michigan No. 1 in the nation and cited JJ McCarthy as the reason why.

Rece Davis ranks Michigan football No. 1 in the nation because of JJ McCarthy

During Thursday’s segment of the Paul Finebaum Show, college football analyst Rece Davis made his case for Michigan football to be the No. 1 team in the nation. He cited second-year starting quarterback JJ McCarthy, who threw for 22 touchdowns and 5 interceptions during his first year as the Wolverines’ starter last fall, as the reason why the Maize and Blue are his top team heading into the year.

“Well, because it’s in the state of Michigan, they’re asking me if Michigan is going to win the national championship,” Davis said on Thusrday “… and at least to start the season, and I believe ranking should be very fluid early. I’m going to have Michigan No. 1 in the preseason. My biggest reason is they are one of the few contenders who have enough everywhere else and a proven quarterback who I believe is going to be much better.

“He was already good, but I think he’s going to take a giant step forward, JJ McCarthy this upcoming season.”

The time is now for the Maize and Blue to push for the national title

Michigan football is close to winning the national title; that much has been clear over the past two seasons. Heading into the 2023 season, the Wolverines must take another step forward. The Wolverines have grown accustomed to beating Penn State, defeating Ohio State, winning the Big Ten title, and appearing in the College Football Playoff. Now, Jim Harbaugh and his program need to take the next step.

With a loaded coaching staff and arguably the best roster that Michigan football has seen in decades, the Wolverines are poised to make a run at a third-straight conference title and even the national championship in 2023. The cherry on top for Rece Davis and the Maize and Blue is former five-star JJ McCarthy, who led the Wolverines to many significant victories during his second season of college football in 2022.

It has been clear that JJ McCarthy is special since the day he stepped on campus in Ann Arbor, but if he truly wants to cement his legacy as a Michigan football great, winning the national title is essential.

“But McCarthy’s the big thing to me,” Rece Davis continued. “He is potentially an elite player. And if he can take that next step, then I think that gives Michigan a chance (to win the national title).”

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