JD PicKell: Why JJ McCarthy as Michigan's starting QB could mean a 12-0 season

JJ McCarthy is the guy in Ann Arbor, and could lead Michigan to a second-consecutive College Football Playoff appearance if On3’s JD PicKell is to be believed. After earning the starting nod in Week 3, McCarthy’s explosive style is a breath of fresh air for the Wolverines in 2022.

“So, for Michigan, you may now feel better about your chances if you do get into a track meet, if it is a game where we have to score 50 (points) – we feel okay about that because of the stick of dynamite we now have at quarterback.” PicKell said about the quarterback changes. “The explosive plays should be higher for Michigan so you can be more multiple and how you win games when you don’t have that fastball. When you’re not able to just hand it off to Blake Corum or whoever it is back there and depending on that offensive line, you have a counter to that. You have another pitch.

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“In addition to that, I think proves the point or even presses the issue that, for Michigan, they can go 12-0. Now, Ohio State is going to have something to say about that, I’m not picking them to go 12-0 at this point in time, but I’m just saying they now have the capability, especially on offense to go 12-0 … that’s a dangerous thing for the rest of the country.”

In McCarthy’s first start for the Wolverines last week against Hawai’i, he completed 92 percent (11-12) of his passing attempts for three touchdowns before head coach Jim Harbaugh pulled him from the game thanks to the lopsided score. Harbaugh saw all he needed to see, however, and named McCarthy the starter for this week’s matchup against UConn. More of the same is expected out of his this week.

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“Now with JJ McCarthy at quarterback, in theory, the offense takes a step forward,” PicKell said. “And as the defense finds itself, you’ve got to feel good about what you have in Ann Arbor. So, I’m excited to see what happens here with JJ McCarthy in this offense. They won’t be tested for a while … But we’ll see how this thing unfolds the rest of the season as they get further into Big 10 play and beyond.”

Michigan’s first real test won’t come until Oct. 15 when No. 22 Penn State comes to Ann Arbor for Week 7. Until then, McCarthy has a chance against the Huskies to find his rhythm under center for the Wolverines before conference play gets underway next week.