ANN ARBOR, Mich. — It’s been a long season for the 3rd-ranked Wolverines, who are currently 11-0 overall, 8-0 in the Big Ten, and are staring at a third straight Big Ten title and more. Yet, despite all of their success so far, the Maize and Blue have one final test: No. 2 Ohio State — a game that will essentially entirely determine the conference title and CFP races for both teams this weekend. Ahead of the game, Michigan football superstar JJ McCarthy explained his frustration with the narratives that have come about due to the sign-stealing scandal and more, which have led to the suspension of Jim Harbaugh for “The Game.”
Michigan football superstar calls sign-stealing scandal narratives “unfortunate”
The 2023 season will go down as one of the messiest years in Michigan football history, recordless of its outcome, due to the sign-stealing scandal, Burgergate, and more. Jim Harbaugh is about to miss his sixth game of the year due to suspension — becoming the first coach to ever be suspended twice in the same season for two separate reasons — and this one is the biggie: against No. 2 Ohio State.
The Wolverines are on a two-game winning streak against Ohio State right now, but that is not the national narrative. In the eyes of many, Michigan football and JJ McCarthy were only so successful against the Buckeyes because of the sign-stealing scandal and Connor Stalions — both things that I am sure all Michigan fans are sick and tired of hearing about right now.
JJ McCarthy explains stance ahead of Ohio State game
Among those sick of hearing about the sing-stealing news and the narratives that come with it is JJ McCarthy, the Wolverines’ junior quarterback.
“Knowing how much blood, sweat, and tears we put into the season and all of the hours that we put in just being diluted by a scandal and all that. It’s unfortunate, but it’s out of our control,” the Michigan football superstar quarterback said on Monday ahead of the Ohio State game. “We only focus on what we can control, and try to get better every single day, and not worry about that stuff.
“But, it’s just unfortunate that people don’t think that (Michigan football) put in the work to get to where we are,” JJ McCarthy added.
This weekend, No. 3 Michigan and No. 2 Ohio State will do battle for all the marbles. Winner takes all — which likely entails a Big Ten Championship, a College Football Playoff berth, and a 12-0 record — while the loser will drop to 11-1 and probably see action in a non-playoff New Year’s Six Bowl.
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