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Michigan Football Quarterback Unfazed By Big Ten Title Win

Despite winning the Big Ten title, Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy is clearly locked in.

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Michigan football, JJ McCarthy, Big Ten title, College Football Playoff
Dec 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Jim Harbaugh take the field before the Big Ten Championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday evening, at Lucas Oil Stadium, the No. 2 Wolverines improved to 13-0 on the season (10-0 Big Ten) with a gritty 26-0 win over No. 16 Iowa. Since arriving back in 2021, Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy has now been a part of Michigan’s first-ever outright three-peat Big Ten Championship squads; however, after the game, it was clear that McCarthy and other Wolverines are unfazed by the win. Michigan has been here before, and with a team this good, winning the conference is simply not good enough with the CFP on the horizon.

Michigan football quarterback now 25-1 as a starter

On Sunday, there is a good chance that Michigan football will be ranked as the No. 1 team in the country following its 26-0 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially since No. 1 Georgia lost to Alabama on Saturday afternoon. With the one-seed, I suspect the Maize and Blue will face either Florida State, Texas, or Alabama in the Rose Bowl game, though that remains to be seen.

For Michigan football, Saturday’s win boosts it to 13-0 on the season. Last year’s team was the first to ever win 13 games in program history, making this year’s squad just as historic by becoming the first team to do it in back-to-back seasons.

JJ McCarthy not fazed by Big Ten title game victory — there is more to be done

That said, after the Big Ten title game win, Michigan football quarterback JJ McCarthy was unfazed — he knows there is stuff to work on and a lot of preparation that must be done before the Wolverines face off against one of the nation’s best in the College Football Playoff in January.

“In my eyes, I look at it as: act like you’ve been there before,” JJ McCarthy said after leading Michigan football to its third-straight Big Ten title game victory. “Coach (Jim) Harbaugh always hits on that, just like scoring your first touchdown like you’ve scored your 100th.

“I feel like we scored our hundredth today, just being able to go out there and win for a third time,” he added. “It’s just like we’ve been here before, and we’re ready to move on and get better.”

Michigan getting ready to learn College Football Playoff seeding

There are a lot of College Football Playoff outcomes for Michigan football following conference title weekend; however, regardless of where the Wolverines are ranked or who they are slated to play, JJ McCarthy and his teammates know that there is work to be done. This will be Michigan’s third straight conference title and playoff berth, though U-M has yet to so much as hold a single lead in a CFP game.

If it’s Alabama — fine. If it’s Jordan Travis-less Florida State — fine. JJ McCarthy and Michigan have a few days to enjoy their shutout win over No. 16 Iowa, though it’ll be a quick turnaround in preparation for whoever is up next.



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CJ has covered college athletics in paid roles for around five years, including numerous sports and beats. His most recent work revolves largely around Penn State and Michigan football and basketball as a member of the credentialed media at both schools. Right now, CJ writes for Blue by Ninety, where he also serves as the site's credentialed football reporter. He also does some credentialed basketball coverage. Previously, CJ has made stops with sites like GBMWolverine, Saturday Blitz, Steeler Nation, and more.

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