J.J. McCarthy reveals what he learned about being starting QB at Michigan

J.J. McCarthy earned the starting quarterback job for Michigan earlier this season and helped lead the team to another Big Ten title. Now with Michigan back in the College Football Playoff, McCarthy and the Wolverines want more than just an appearance in the semifinals.

After filling in for Cade McNamara last season in certain spots and then having to beat him out this season, McCarthy said he learned a lot about being the starter for the No. 2 team in the country. Sure there are perks like being able to lead a team, potentially, to a national title.

But the young star signal caller kept it in perspective.

“A lot of things come with it just like days like today,” McCarthy said. “That definitely kind of puts things in perspective. A position in life or (something in your) professional life can change your life drastically and being able to kind of see that at a young age has been awesome because it prepares me for future paths and life and stuff like that. But you know, it’s a blessing and a curse and I’ve seen more blessings and curses and I love every single ounce of it.”

In 13 games this season, McCarthy has 2,376 yards, 20 touchdowns, three interceptions, a 65.2% completion percentage, 254 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Michigan has yet to lose a game and since the Wolverines are favored over TCU, perhaps Michigan will be 14-0 going into the national championship against Georgia or Ohio State.

That has the makings of an all-time special team.

“Probably going back to the offseason, but when we had our first fourth quarter finisher, and everybody was just eating it up,” McCarthy said of when he thought the Wolverines were special. “And this was a team that just wanted nothing more to get better and strive for greatness and we relished in the hard work. We love this … And I think that was something that separates us from a lot of other teams from the past and from the teams that we go up against.”

Michigan practically rolled through its schedule in a majority of the team’s games this season. The biggest statement wins came in the form of beating Ohio State for the second straight year and dominating Purdue in the Big Ten title game.

Now, the team is just two wins away from its first national title since 1997.

No. 2 Michigan (13-0) takes on No. 3 TCU (12-1) in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET.