Jim Harbaugh wants JJ McCarthy to 'have at it' against Ohio State

Michigan survived a scare over the weekend with a 19-17 escape against Illinois, winning on a field goal with nine seconds remaining after quarterback JJ McCarthy helped lead the team into range.

Now, with a real gutsy win under his starting quarterback’s belt, coach Jim Harbaugh has one piece of advice heading into this weekend’s massive matchup against No. 2 Ohio State.

“Have at it,” Harbaugh said.

When Michigan made the decision to replace starting quarterback Cade McNamara with JJ McCarthy earlier this season, the hope was that McCarthy would provide the Wolverines with a little more long-term upside.

It’s been hard to evaluate whether that’s been the case the way Michigan has beaten up opponents this season. Prior to Saturday’s thriller against Illinois, the Wolverines had been in only one game all year decided by one score.

But despite a relatively shaky outing overall Saturday, McCarthy made key plays in crunch time.

“It’s pretty cool, coming off of the game he had, fourth-quarter comeback, win in the last minute, game-winning drive,” Harbaugh said. “That doesn’t happen to quarterbacks that often. To be in that situation, first time and win it, he’s got it.”

The moment JJ McCarthy needed?

One of the big question marks many around the country have had about JJ McCarthy, including highly successful former Ohio State coach and current FOX analyst Urban Meyer, has been what would happen when he was asked to go out and win a game with it all on the line.

“JJ McCarthy still has not been asked to go win a game yet,” Meyer said on Oct. 19 on Urban’s Take with Tim May on the On3 Network. “They didn’t throw the ball downfield, I didn’t see one time on Saturday. He’s got it all. He’s got a great arm, he’s very athletic. He has command. But at some point we know it’s coming down the road, the Buckeyes versus the Wolverines. History of that game is going to be the quarterback’s going to have to win that game. So that remains to be seen if he can go do that. He’s very talented.”

Did Saturday prove McCarthy can do just that?

Harbaugh certainly seems to think so.

“Talked about turning water to wine. I think I made that comment back in the summer, that he had that ability,” the Michigan coach said. “Shouldn’t drop the snap but drops the snap, goes down on a knee, has the presence before he touched the ball to lift his knee off the ground, pick it up, get out the pocket, pick up a critical first down.

“He’s just, he’s got it. So glad that he’s on our team. He’s fiercely protective of the team. He’s a tremendous teammate. He’s got that grit and determination, too, all into one package.”

Michigan and Ohio State will meet Saturday at noon ET with a broadcast on FOX. Someone’s undefeated season will come to an end, though perhaps it will remain in the thick of the College Football Playoff hunt depending on how the game plays out.

All eyes will be on McCarthy and whether he can win it if asked to.