JJ McCarthy calls for Ohio State rematch in the College Football Playoff
Depending on what the College Football Playoff committee decides on Sunday afternoon, the Big Ten could have two teams in the final four. And not just any two teams. Bitter rivals Michigan and Ohio State could be competing for a national championship, with the possibility of a semifinal matchup being discussed.
Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy was asked if the committee could somehow set it up, would he like to see the Buckeyes again in the CFP? Instead of dodging the question and giving a media-trained answer, McCarthy made his intentions very clear. He wants another shot to take down Ohio State with a rematch.
“Please,” McCarthy said via Clayton Sayfie of On3’s The Wolverine. “Please. Bring it on. It would be truly a blessing if we get a shot to play those boys again.”
Georgia most likely clinched the No. 1 overall seed after blowing LSU out in the SEC Championship game, while Michigan will be just a spot behind. Ohio State, who entered the week at No. 5, would have to slide up two spots for a rematch to happen — most like at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ.
The CFP committee would have to bump the Buckeyes over TCU, who lost Saturday’s Big 12 Championship game to Kansas State. Of course, USC is now out of the equation, suffering their second loss of the season in the Pac-12 title.
No matter how Michigan and Ohio State get back together on a field, McCarthy seems down for the occasion. Rightfully so as well, especially after what took place on Nov. 26 in Colombus. The Wolverines are riding high with confidence with a fantastic close to the regular season.
History at stake for Michigan, Ohio State
If the two arch-rivals end up playing in the College Football Playoff, some history will be at stake for the two programs.
Firstly, Michigan would be going for a three-game winning streak in the series, something that hasn’t happened since 1995-1997. They famously broke the Ohio State streak during the 2021 game, ending eight years of suffering in Ann Arbor.
Dec. 31 would be the scheduled date, an unusual time for The Game to happen. November has been the month the two meet since 1934. Twelve matchups have taken place in October, while none in December. The Fiesta Bowl would be, by far, the latest version of the rivalry.
Only the committee can make a semifinal matchup happen. If both get into the playoff and win their games — then we have a completely new level of intensity to discuss for McCarthy and Co.