Fired up Tom Brady backs Michigan to win National Championship

Tom Brady might be retired from football, but he still has eyes on the Michigan Wolverines this year. The Wolverines legend went ahead and cemented his alma mater as his national championship favorite ahead of Saturday’s season opener.

“Look guys, I hate to ruin this for everyone else, but this is Michigan’s year. We’re coming off two back-to-back Big Ten titles, two-straight Ohio State beatdowns — sorry Urban [Meyer],” Brady said during a package on Big Noon Kickoff. “Coach [Jim] Harbaugh has all the pieces coming back. He’s got the quarterback in JJ McCarthy, a two-headed monster in the backfield (Blake Corum, Donovan Edwards) and we’ve got a loaded defense.

“The winningest program in college football history is ready to go and make another national championship run. Let’s go, we got this. Go Blue!”

McCarthy threw for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns on a 64.6 percent completion rate in 2022. He threw just five picks in his first season as a starter with two coming in the final game of the year against TCU in the playoff. On the ground, he rushed for 306 yards and five more scores on the ground to round out his strong season.

Those numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page by any means, but it was more than enough to get Michigan within reach of the promised land. Those numbers are only expected to improve, though, and Michigan is expected to be a player in the race for one of the four spots in the College Football Playoff when the end of the regular season rolls around.

For the rushing game, Edwards and Corum combined for 387 carries and 2,454 yards. Edwards was nine yards shy from a 1,000-yard rushing season while Corum cemented himself as one of college football’s most exciting players last season. He totaled a whopping 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns before electing to return to school for the 2023 season.

After all, the Wolverines have found themselves in the College Football Playoff in each of the last two years, but have nothing to show for it. It could be now or never to do it under head coach Jim Harbaugh, especially since this group likely won’t be together this time next season.

The No. 2 Wolverines will set their signs for the national title picture when they kick off their 2023 season against East Carolina at home. Michigan is a 35.5-point touchdown favorite, per Vegas Insider.