Michigan football: JJ McCarthy and Cade McNamara on a collision course

Michigan football has won two consecutive Big Ten title games with two different starting quarterbacks this decade. The Maize and Blue are currently heading into what should be another huge year for the football program. Michigan boasts an incredible roster, a favorable schedule, and is currently favored to win a third consecutive conference championship. If the Wolverines manage to make it to the title game once again, Michigan fans could be treated to a familiar matchup: JJ McCarthy vs. Cade McNamara.

Two Michigan football QBs could face off for the Big Ten title in 2023

After losing the starting job just two weeks into the 2022 Michigan football season, former Big Ten title-winning quarterback Cade McNamara entered the transfer portal and committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes. With the Big Ten West division looking as winnable as ever, it appears that Cade McNamara may be aiming for a return trip to the conference championship game for the first time since 2021.

Speaking of the 2021 Big Ten title game, that was the season when McNamara led his former team, the Michigan Wolverines, to their first conference championship since the 2004 season. Following Michigan’s impressive 42-27 win over Ohio State in Ann Arbor, the Maize and Blue dominated No. 13 Iowa in the title game, winning by a score of 42-3. This fall, McNamara will be seeking a similar outcome but for the opposing team.

On the other hand, we have JJ McCarthy. JJ took over as the full-time starting quarterback during Week 2 of the 2022 Michigan football season, and since then, the Wolverines have experienced great success on the gridiron. Once McCarthy assumed control of the offense, Michigan achieved significant victories over Penn State (41-17), Michigan State (29-7), Ohio State (45-23), and Purdue (43-22, BTCG). McCarthy guided Michigan to an impressive 13-1 overall record, securing both program records and a second consecutive College Football Playoff berth.

This fall, with both quarterbacks still in the Big Ten but in separate divisions, JJ McCarthy and Cade McNamara could potentially meet in the Big Ten title game. Considering former Michigan football captain Erick All also transferred to Iowa, this potential matchup could become one for the ages if it comes to fruition in the months to come.

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!