JJ McCarthy is the most important factor in a Michigan football national title run

During Week 2 of the 2022 college football season, Michigan football found itself with a new starting quarterback: former five-star commit JJ McCarthy. Since then, the Wolverines have amassed an impressive 12-1 record, securing massive wins over Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. Additionally, they clinched a three-touchdown victory in the Big Ten title game and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff. In 2023, there is arguably no player more crucial to the Wolverines’ pursuit of a national title, which they haven’t won in three decades, than JJ McCarthy.

JJ McCarthy will be a huge factor in a Michigan football national title run

When Michigan football needed JJ McCarthy to step up last year, he did exactly that. During Week 13, with Blake Corum sidelined and Donovan Edwards battling injury, McCarthy rose to the challenge, leading his team to a resounding 45-23 victory in Columbus.

He followed up this exceptional performance with a commanding 21-point win over Purdue in the conference title game. Despite a solid game against TCU in the CFP semi-final, where McCarthy had two costly throws, he still performed admirably. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Horned Frogs and secure a spot in the national title game against Georgia. This year, he is looking to rewrite the script and claim Michigan’s first national title since 1997.

Good morning.

JJ McCarthy threw a touchdown on his first ever pass as a starter in college football.

Enjoy your Sunday! pic.twitter.com/lFTwFKvWka

— Josh Augdahl 〽️ (@UMFanAugdahl) June 25, 2023

“I personally and selfishly want to be known as one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game,” JJ McCarthy said of Tom Brady ahead of the College Football Playoff last December. “I have so much respect for that man and everything he’s done with what he’s been given, but I’m chasing him. I’m chasing him. I texted him when I got here, and I told him, ‘I want to get the ring that you didn’t get.’”

The best QB in the Big Ten?

According to numerous outlets, JJ McCarthy, the quarterback of Michigan football, is considered the top quarterback in the conference. Moreover, the Wolverines’ QB is poised for success this year, as the Maize and Blue boast a formidable offense and an array of weapons at their quarterback’s disposal.

Despite the Wolverines’ dominant performances in the Big Ten, including impressive victories over Ohio State and in the Big Ten title game in both 2021 and 2022, their current offensive system has proven inadequate to advance them past the first round of the playoffs. Thus far, Michigan football has yet to secure a lead in a CFP semi-final game.

If Michigan football aims to overcome this hurdle and win a national title this season, JJ McCarthy will need to play a pivotal role on offense. He must assume greater leadership responsibilities both on and off the field for the Maize and Blue, spearheading their charge back to the top.

Thank you for reading Blue by Ninety. For more Michigan Athletics 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 Managing Editor 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!