Urban Meyer says Michigan is 'right there' to contend for national championship

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is familiar with Michigan Wolverine football. And last season, as a Fox College Football crew member, he got to see them in a different light. Recently on an episode of On3’s The Hard Count, Meyer answered the question of what Michigan needs to compete for a national championship next season. According to him, they’re already there; there’s just one hump they have to get over.

“I’ve watched them; ironically, I had them four times, I think, this past year,” said Meyer. “Their quarterback JJ McCarthy is so talented. You stand next to him, which I have, and watch the ball come out of his hand. His athleticism; he’s a tough guy. He made big plays in that rivalry game last year.

“They should have been in the final game. They had two pick-sixes and just didn’t take care of the ball; didn’t play well in that game. But they were the better team. I think they’re right there, as well. They just need to; I used to tell our teams, now, it’s just about to finish, the F word. You need to finish. And the Buckeyes didn’t finish, and neither did the Wolverines.”

Michigan went undefeated in the regular season with commanding victories over their three rivals: Michigan State, Ohio State, and Penn State. But in the College Football Playoff semifinal against TCU, they gave the game away to the Horned Frogs. The Wolverines led in nearly every statistical category and even proved to be the more disciplined team, only committing five penalties for 28 yards compared to TCU’s seven for 85. Both teams also committed the same amount of turnovers, 3; both had two interceptions and one fumble lost.

Unfortunately, the two interceptions thrown by Michigan’s quarterback JJ McCarthy were ran back by TCU for touchdowns. Had they been able to at least prevent those two pick-sixes, the game would have likely ended in the Wolverines’ favor.

Looking forward to next season, Michigan is still favored to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten and the country. And for a good reason. McCarthy will return for his second season leading the program and looks more dangerous and dynamic than last season. And star running back Blake Corum, who was a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy last season, has decided to return for his senior year.

Michigan will have another huge opportunity to capture a national championship in 2024. But to do so, the Wolverines will have to get over their college Football Playoff struggles the same way they did with their struggles against Ohio State. If they can do that, Michigan has a strong chance of finishing 2024 as national champions.