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Comparing JJ McCarthy in 2022 to Cade McNamara in 2021

After seeing Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy start for full seasons, who had the better year?

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Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara (12) and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warm up before a game against Northern Illinois at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. | © Junfu Han via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Heading into the 2022 Michigan football season, one debate seemed to be prevalent throughout the Ann Arbor community and beyond: who will be QB1? Sophomore JJ McCarthy and senior Cade McNamara appeared to be neck-and-neck one week into the season; however, McCarthy eventually pulled away with the job.

In hindsight, was it the right call? Let’s compare the two as starters. (Note: we are only using Cade’s 2021 season and JJ’s 2022 season.)

Comparing JJ McCarthy (2022) and Cade McNamara (2021)

Win/loss as a starter (regular season)

In 2021 — coming off of a piss-poor 2-4 campaign the year before — Michigan football shocked the nation as it made a historic run through the conference. The Wolverines beat Penn State (21-17) and Ohio State (42-27) en route to a division title and an 11-1 overall record. Cade McNamara was the starter for all 12 games, including Michigan’s 37-33 loss at Michigan State.

Cade’s record: 11-1

A year later, JJ McCarthy led the Wolverines to a perfect 12-0 start; 2022 was Michigan’s first 12-0 start since the 1997 National Championship squad. Though the Wolverines were undefeated heading into the College Football Playoff, McCarthy had only been named the starter in Week 2, meaning Cade McNamara still had a start last season. Because of this, the sophomore is 11-0 as a starter in regular season games. Unlike the 2021 team, Michigan football managed to beat Penn State (41-17), Michigan State (29-7), and Ohio State (45-23) en route to another division title.

JJ’s record: 11-0

Win/loss as a starter (postseason)

After the Wolverines knocked off Ohio State in 2021 (42-27) the Wolverines earned a spot in the Big Ten Championship game for the first time ever. Michigan’s last conference title was in 2004; however, the Wolverines routed No. 13 Iowa (10-2 overall, 7-2 Big Ten) and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. Despite coming into the Orage Bowl (CFP semifinal) as the No. 2 team in the nation, the Georgia Bulldogs left Miami with a 34-11 win over Michigan.

Cade’s record: 1-1

In 2022, Michigan football won its second-straight game over Ohio State and again punched its ticket to the Big Ten Championship game. Like 2021’s title game, the Wolverines walked all over Purdue en route to a 43-22 win over the Boilermakers. Michigan again headed to the CFP as the nation’s 2nd-ranked team, and yet again, lost in heartbreaking fashion. This time, the Wolverines dropped the Fiesta Bowl to TCU, 51-45.

JJ’s record: 1-1

Comparing the stat sheets

Passing stats

In 2021, Cade McNamara completed 210 of his 327 passing attempts (64.2 percent) for 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions during the Wolverines’ historic season. McNamara’s best game was in Michigan’s loss to Michigan State, where he completed 28 of his 44 passes for 383 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

In 2022, sophomore JJ McCarthy completed 208 of his 322 pass attempts (64.6 percent) for 2,719 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions. JJ’s best game was also in a loss; McCarthy completed 20 of his 34 passes for 343 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against TCU.

Rushing stats

Cade McNamara was not, is not, and will likely never be a mobile quarterback. That being said, he still ran the ball 37 times for 26 yards (0.7 yards per attempt) and one touchdown in 2021. His longest carry was for 20 yards.

Unlike McNamara, JJ McCarthy is an efficient ball-carrier and performed well on the ground in 2022. The Wolverines’ rising junior carried the ball 70 times for 306 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. Additionally, McCarthy’s longest carry was for 39 yards in the Wolverines’ Playoff loss to TCU.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebookand Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at Cj@BluebyNinety.com or DM him on Twitter, @CJsWrld_.

FB RECRUITING

Four-star Michigan football target expected to commit soon

This four-star Michigan football target is about to announce his commitment.

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Michigan football, recruiting, 2024 recruiting class, Brian Robinson
Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Wolverines are one of the five remaining teams for Brian Robinson, a blue-chip edge rusher from Ohio, who is reportedly close to making a college decision. Robinson, who was once a prominent four-star Michigan football target in the 2024 recruiting class, was initially strongly leaning towards Michigan, but now it appears to be more uncertain. His commitment would be a significant and unexpected acquisition for Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines.

Four-star Michigan football target Brian Robinson close to a final call

According to recent reports, Brian Robinson is nearing a decision and aims to conclude his recruitment within the next week or so. Robinson is currently ranked as the No. 131 recruit in the 2024 recruiting class. Given that the Wolverines have recently lost a substantial amount of talent on the defensive side of the football, especially at edge rusher, Robinson could be a major addition for Jim Harbaugh.

It doesn’t appear that Robinson is favoring the Wolverines right now, although Michigan football recruiting has seen significant changes recently, so anything is possible. At one point this year, it seemed highly likely that Ann Arbor would be Robinson’s eventual destination; however, his recruitment has become much more complicated in recent months.

If Jim Harbaugh can land Robinson, it would be huge for the 2024 recruiting class

The remaining schools in contention, aside from Michigan football, are Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Penn State. According to the RPM, Robinson’s preferred landing spot right now is the Kentucky Wildcats, with the Maize and Blue firmly in contention at the No. 2 spot.

As per the On3 industry rankings, Robinson is a highly sought-after four-star Michigan football target, ranking as the No. 131 player nationally, the No. 9 edge rusher in the 2024 recruiting class, and the No. 5 player in the state of Ohio.



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Latest buzz on impressive Michigan football freshman wide receivers

Here is the latest buzz from Schembechler Hall regarding a few rising stars — these Michigan football freshman wideouts are impressive!

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Michigan football, wide receivers, Ron Bellamy, Big Ten
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Wolverines’ wide receiver corps is led by Roman Wilson — the NCAA’s leader in touchdown catches (6) — and Cornelius Johnson. That said, below these two talented veterans are a number of impressive Michigan football freshman wideouts, who recently earned some high praise from wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy ahead of this weekend’s Big Ten conference opener against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (3-0).

Michigan football freshman wide receivers continue to impress

Unlike the previous two seasons, the Michigan football offense is really starting to air the ball out often this fall. Aside from an unimpressive game against Bowling Green, junior quarterback JJ McCarthy has been dominant this year, which is a trend he hopes to keep up during this week’s matchup against Rutgers.

Ron Bellamy gives the latest ahead of this week’s Big Ten opener

Among this year’s wide receiver corps are a number of Michigan football freshman standouts, who have been turning heads throughout fall camp and even into the first few games of the season. Yesterday, Ron Bellamy — Michigan’s WR coach — gave the latest on these rising star Wolverines.

“They’re doing well,” Ron Bellamy said of the Michigan football freshman wide receivers. “They’re doing well — you can’t treat them like freshmen. I tell them all the time, ‘Whoever we play, they’re not going to look across and say, ‘Oh, this is an 18-year-old freshman here; take it easy on him.’ No, they are going to be attacking like they would any other player.’ That has to be the mindset, and we don’t treat them like freshmen. Those guys are diligent about their craft. That’s the thing I like about them. And that’s why they’re getting opportunities. Those guys are constantly wanting to learn and making sure that they’re dialed in and detailed in everything that we do.”

Keep an eye out for these freshmen when Michigan football takes the field

Ideally, Michigan football won’t need to rely on these freshman wideouts just yet; however, if you start to see names like Semaj Morgan, Fredrick Moore, and others getting some notable in-game reps, don’t be too surprised. From the sound of things, it seems that the Wolverines are confident in many of these rising stars, and are looking to continue developing them into the next generation of elite offensive skill players to wear the Maize and Blue.



Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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Top analyst has an interesting message for Michigan football fans

Top analyst Joel Klatt has some interesting thoughts about Michigan football heading into the Wolverines’ Big Ten opener this weekend.

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Michigan football fans, Joel Klatt, Big Ten conference, Penn State, Ohio State
Sep 9, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson (1) celebrates his touchdown against the UNLV Rebels with teammates during the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Last weekend, the Maize and Blue won their third-straight game of the 2023 season, downing the Bowling Green State Falcons by 25 points at home. While JJ McCarthy and the offense struggled, the Wolverines are still undefeated heading into Big Ten conference play this weekend. Still, with Penn State and Ohio State playing great football right now, top college football analyst Joel Klatt has an interesting message for Michigan football fans — he thinks that folks in Ann Arbor should be “antsy” right now.

Joel Klatt has an interesting take for Michigan football fans

Sure, last weekend’s victory over Bowling Green wasn’t pretty; however, Ohio State and Penn State have both seen their fair share of struggles so far this year. In fact, even outside of the Big Ten conference, schools like Texas, Alabama, and even Georgia have not been looking like their usual selves lately. Still, Joel Klatt says that there should be some tension among the Michigan football fanbase due to recent lackluster play during the non-conference slate.

“With what’s going on in the Big Ten East, namely Penn State and Ohio State? I would feel antsy if I were you, Michigan fans,” Joel Klatt explained on his show, ‘The Joel Klatt Show.’ “The one thing that will derail your season faster than anything else is if JJ McCarthy starts to turn the ball over. That’s why I would be antsy.”

“I know you’re going to run the football fine, I really do. I’m pretty confident that the defense is going to play really well. The one unknown is how efficient can JJ (McCarthy) play? Now, he was really good a year ago until late. Obviously, the TCU game (last year’s College Football Playoff semi-final), it got a little bit loose, and guess what? They (Michigan football) lost.”

Thoughts on what Klatt said about the Wolverines heading into Big Ten conference play

Now, I am going to disagree with Joel Klatt a bit here in a few aspects. First off, Michigan football has not proven that it can run the football consistently yet, and the offensive line is yet to mesh. This idea that the rushing attack will be elite this year because it was last year is simply not true — it’s a hard thing to admit, but fans are yet to see the same bruising Wolverines that they did over the past two seasons. Not that it won’t develop, but so far, Michigan is not nearly as dominant on the ground as it was in 2021 and 2022.

Additionally, Klatt said that JJ McCarthy was good in 2022 until late in the season, which is really not that accurate. JJ McCarthy was not seen as a great quarterback until the Ohio State game hit — not to say that fans didn’t see the talent, but he struggled to really get things going consistently until the final three games of the year, including the Wolverines’ CFP loss.

Right now, Michigan football fans should not be too concerned, if you ask me. That said, as the weeks go by and the Penn State and Ohio State matchups get closer, we need to see more from the Wolverines. The fact of the matter is that, with Michigan’s schedule this year, the Maize and Blue can have many shortcomings and still begin the year 9-0 — it’s the final three games that will truly define the 2023 team, so long as they can avoid upset beforehand.


Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. You can also subscribe to our YouTube Channel. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Publisher at Cj@BluebyNinety.com. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms. It is because of your support that we have become one of the fastest-growing and most influential Michigan media outlets there is!

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