On3 Roundtable: JJ McCarthy is the best quarterback in the Big Ten

Michigan had an impressive 2022 season as JJ McCarthy was in his first year as the starting quarterback. The Wolverines went 13-1, losing only to TCU in the College Football Playoff.

McCarthy and Michigan are far from satisfied, though, despite going undefeated in the regular season last year.

Chris Balas of The Wolverine joined On3’s JD PicKell on the On3 Roundtable recently to discuss McCarthy’s play last season and preview 2023. Balas believes McCarthy heads into this year as the best quarterback in the Big Ten.

“Yea, I don’t think there’s any question, at least going into it,” Balas said. “He’s the most experienced of the guys coming back.”

Balas followed up by noting that Taulia Tagovailoa is returning for his third season as the starting QB at Maryland. Still, he believes that McCarthy has the edge after what he did last year.

“You look at Taulia at Maryland, and people kind of overlook him. Coming back, that’s a big deal for them,” Balas said. “However, JJ McCarthy, having led a championship run in his first year, that doesn’t happen very often in the Big Ten, unless you’re at Ohio State, where you’re going year after year and competing for titles. But Michigan’s at that spot now where they’re plugging guys in. First year starters have a chance to win championships.”

JJ McCarthy led Michigan to a Big Ten title his first season, and the Wolverines have a chance to win another conference championship and reach the College Football Playoff once again in 2023.

The hope for Michigan is that it will play better once it gets there. Michigan dropped a heartbreaking game with TCU last year in the CFP, despite McCarthy putting up nearly 400 yards of offense and three touchdowns.

McCarthy enters 2023 with plenty of motivation.

“You know what? He’s not satisfied. And that’s the best thing about this kid is he’s devastated at a 13-1 season because they didn’t get to the finals,” Balas said.

“Jim Harbaugh said he’s an unbelievable leader. He said, ‘Our guys should follow him if they want to succeed.’ And you can see it. The kid’s a leader. He’s so humble, though, and so down to earth. So he’s everything you’re looking for in a quarterback.”

For the season, McCarthy passed for 2,719 yards and 22 touchdowns, with only five interceptions. He also made plays with his legs, rushing for 306 yards and five scores.

With McCarthy back, look for Michigan to compete for a Big Ten title and perhaps a national title in 2023.