Desmond Howard, Greg McElroy debate Michigan's stock entering midpoint of 2023 season

Desmond Howard and Greg McElroy agreed Michigan’s stock is up entering the midpoint of the 2023 season.

Michigan, ranked No. 2 in the country, dominated Nebraska 45-7 in its last time out and has an argument for best team in the country instead of Georgia. There’s still plenty of football to play, but the Wolverines are rolling.

McElroy came away extremely impressed by Michigan’s defense to this point. The unit hasn’t missed a beat.

“There has not been a play inside Michigan’s 10 yard line all season long,” McElroy said on College Football Live. “That’s an absurd stat when you really think about it. They of course held Nebraska scoreless for 55 minutes, they allowed the 74 yard touchdown run that really threw off most of the numbers as far as their average is over the course of the game.

“Their stock is up big time because their defense looks every bit as good as it was a year ago and the offense hasn’t skipped a beat.”

It’s time to buy stock in Michigan at midseason

Howard agreed and pointed out the efficiency of the offense, especially from quarterback JJ McCarthy.

“Yeah, I agree with you, Greg, you look at Michigan and don’t forget, Coach Harbaugh was suspended the first three games of the season so it was like coach by committee, and they played well, but now they’re starting to look like Michigan football,” Howard said. “Two weeks ago against Rutgers, last week against Nebraska, both conference opponents, I love what I’m seeing from the offense right now. Ut’s like they’re trying to catch their rhythm. You know, JJ McCarthy is playing very well.  Blake Corum is playing strong and obviously Donovan Edwards is coming along strong right now. 

“But you see, JJ is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in all of college football. I mean, you look at his completion percentage, and he just has a great command of the offense. So very impressed, watching them play on the road against Nebraska. So I will say that their stock is up.”

McCarthy really stepped it up in recent weeks. At this point, he’s on pace to set a career high in touchdown passes. This year, he has 1,086 yards, 10 touchdowns, three interceptions and an absurd 79% completion percentage.

On defense, Michigan has yet to give up double digit points. In five games, the Wolverines surrendered just 30 points, an average of six points per game.

After trailing 7-0 to Rutgers in the Big Ten opener, Michigan scored 31 points in a row for the win.

Next up, Michigan heads to Minnesota for a 7:30 p.m. ET tilt, which Jim Harbaugh said has its own challenges.