FOOTBALL

Desmond Howard gives honest take on Michigan football

Michigan football is turning heads nationally right now… including Desmond Howard. Here is what the ex-Wolverine Heisman-winner had to say.

Published

1 year ago

October 3, 2023

Blue by Ninety

Michigan football, Desmond Howard, Connor Stalions, sign-stealing

Sep 16, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Desmond Howard on the set of ESPN College GameDay prior to the game between the Colorado Buffaloes and the Colorado State Rams at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

This weekend will serve as the mid-way point for Michigan football — it’s a Week 6 road matchup against the 3-2 Minnesota Golden Gophers. Last weekend, the Wolverines earned their biggest win of the year, downing Nebraska (in Lincoln) by a score of 45-7, prompting some outlets and analysts to rank Michigan at No. 1 this week. Earlier, on College Football Live, Wolverine legend and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard gave his honest take on Jim Harbaugh and Co. heading into this weekend’s slate of games.

Desmond Howard gives an honest take on Michigan football

Michigan football legend Desmond Howard — who won a Heisman Trophy as a wide receiver for the Wolverines in 1991 — is liking what he sees from Michigan football through five games.

“You look at Michigan — and don’t forget, Coach (Jim) Harbaugh was suspended the first three games of the season — so it was like coach by committee,” Desmond Howard said of the Wolverines. “And they played well, but now they’re starting to look like Michigan football. Two weeks ago against Rutgers, last week against Nebraska — both conference opponents — I love what I’m seeing from the offense right now. It’s like they’re trying to catch their rhythm. You know, (junior quarterback) JJ McCarthy is playing very well. (Senior running back) Blake Corum is playing strong, and obviously, (junior running back) Donovan Edwards is coming along strong right now.

JJ McCarthy gives the Wolverines an edge

Right now, Michigan football has arguably the best quarterback in college football: junior JJ McCarthy. McCarthy, who has thrown for nearly 1,100 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions this year, leads the nation in QBR despite never having played a down in the fourth quarter through five games. Michigan football has always had a large enough lead that JJ comes out sometime in the third quarter, making his season stats that much more impressive heading into Week 6.

“But you see, JJ (McCarthy) is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in all of college football,” Desmond Howard continued. “I mean, you look at his completion percentage (79%), and he just has a great command of the offense. So very impressed, watching them play on the road against Nebraska. So I will say that their stock is up.”

Michigan football gunning for the No. 1 spot nationally

Like many members of the media and fans, Desmond Howard is quite high on Jim Harbaugh and Michigan football right now. If the Wolverines can continue playing their best ball — and peak at the right time as they did in 2021-2022 — Michigan could be on pace to claim a third-straight Big Ten title and more later this year.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics and Big Ten content from Blue by Ninety, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, 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 [email protected]. 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!