Saying J.J. McCarthy wasn’t clutch for Michigan football is preposterous

There are some lazy narratives about former Michigan football quarterback J.J. McCarthy. But one of the worst is that he needs to “prove” he’s clutch. Frankly, that’s a preposterous thing to say about someone with a 27-1 career record and a national championship on his resume.

J.J. McCarthy critics trot out tired narrative

Yet, you have James Palmer and others on the NFL Network asking if McCarthy can “win the big game by putting his team on his back?” Palmer says that McCarthy didn’t have to do that for Michigan football.

One of the questions about J.J. McCarthy in this draft process is … can he win the big game by putting the team on his back? He just didn't have to do that at Michigan. Here's his trainer John Beck on how McCarthy is going about answering those questions when teams ask. pic.twitter.com/LNioeH79F5

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 6, 2024

Except that McCarthy did put the offense on his back and did so many times throughout his junior season because the running game wasn’t as dynamic as its reputation, at least at the start of 2023.

I guess I’m not sure what the definition of “putting the team on your back” is but throwing four first-half touchdowns, on the road against a rival, sounds like “putting the team on your back.”

Or how about accounting for four touchdowns, on the road, against the No. 2 team in the country, with three passes of more than 45 yards? Also, no turnovers. Does that count?

If these guys are talking about fourth-quarter comebacks, then no, McCarthy didn’t get many of those opportunities, because he was so freaking good he barely played in the fourth quarter. Michigan football trailed for about 40 minutes of game time all season. Yet, he still had two in his career, in three total opportunities.

J.J. McCarthy was clutch for Michigan football

But when the Wolverines needed a touchdown drive against Alabama in the Rose Bowl with the natty on the line, McCarthy delivered. He was cooler than the other side of the pillow, notching a completion on fourth-and-two, a first-down run, an explosive pass play to Roman Wilson, and a touchdown to tie the game. He also led a game-winning drive against Illinois when U-M had to have it in 2022.

J.J. McCarthy/Roman Wilson legacy drive👑

pic.twitter.com/hgwtgqTUWd

— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 2, 2024

Sure, you can say that McCarthy doesn’t have a three-touchdown comeback on his resume but that’s grasping at straws. His team was too good to be in that position, partly because McCarthy is elite and didn’t do the kinds of things that put his team in a hole.

In the one game in which McCarthy made some mistakes — the Fiesta Bowl loss to TCU — the offense still gained 528 yards and scored 45 points. There was also a touchdown taken off the board on a bad call, plus a fumble by Kalel Mullings at the one-yard line, as well as a Philly special you know the coaching staff wishes it had back.

Take out those plays and regardless of the two interceptions, McCarthy leads Michigan to a Fiesta Bowl win. So again, the “not clutch” narrative doesn’t check out.

It’s lazy and it’s just plain wrong.

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. Also, be sure to check out our shop and our podcast, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other streaming platforms.