Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh says QB battle could draw out

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh announced Saturday that senior Cade McNamara would start the opener against Colorado State, while sophomore J.J. McCarthy would get the game two nod against Hawaii. But he also clarified that the competition wouldn’t end in game three … not by a long shot. 

Harbaugh said the race could go for the entire season, perhaps longer. If both continue to play at the level they are, he said, they could both alternate all year.

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“It’s a process,” Harbaugh said. “For me to stand up here, no person — that’s biblical — knows what the future holds. It’s a process based on performance. But we’re not going to withhold any good thing. Both have been tremendous quarterbacks. We think both are capable of leading our team to a championship.

“That’s good. We’re going to keep cultivating that. People have asked, ‘how have you come to that decision? Was it based on some kind of NFL model?’ No. It’s biblical. Solomon, who was known to be a pretty wise person.”

In short, he said he wasn’t making the decision worried about whether one or the other would transfer. Even in the day and age of not having to sit, he’s confident both guys want to be at Michigan and compete.

“Nobody knows how long [it will go],” he said when asked if it could go past this year. “You’re talking about two gritty competitors and fighters in Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy. Did it factor in that one would transfer or not? No. My thoughts are they are both the kind of guys that don’t flinch, fold, or quit at the slightest whiff of adverse circumstances or if something doesn’t go their way. That’s not Cade McNamara. That’s not J.J. McCarthy. 

“I can’t see it other than a good thing. And they’re actually both playing their best football since they’ve been here. Cade is arguably one of the most improved players on the team. He’s playing his best football. J.J. did not have spring practice, but he’s ascended to where he’s at based on his performance. That’s a really, really good thing. 

“There’s no demotion for Cade McNamara. He’s playing his best football. It is a promotion for J.J. based on what he’s been able to do, as well.”

Harbaugh: Both Michigan quarterbacks will likely play a lot in the first three games

Both will likely play the opener against Colorado State, Harbaugh added when asked. It’s also a good bet they’ll both play against Hawaii in week two.

“Yes. You don’t withhold something good that can help the football team,” he said.

And from there, they’ll decide a course of action, but not necessarily a definitive one that will last the year. There will be no set metrics they have to reach, for example. 

“Based on performance,” Harbaugh continued. “There’s not one criteria you can plug in and say this will be the factor, that will be the factor. I want both the quarterbacks to keep playing their game. Keep enhancing what they do really well; improving some of the things they need to work on. But definitely not trying to play somebody else’s game, or the other quarterback’s game. Or hit a metric or a number that is going to be the deciding factor. 

“There won’t be one other than playing the best players based on performance. That’s the metric. Meritocracy.”

The fact that both will play in the first two games, and — no matter who starts — probably the third game he said, will give them more time to see both in game situations. 

“It’s not going to be exactly the same [competition]… but it’s practice vs. games. I think we’ll have a better understanding after the two play in games,” Harbaugh said. “I talked about it earlier. This isn’t something we have to withhold. There’s a great chance we play both of the quarterbacks this game, the next game, and in the third game, as well. 

“I don’t know [from there]. That’s the point. You can speculate, predict. But nobody knows the future. And it’s specific for this team, whether these two players are playing … no, there’s no other intent or motive other than what’s good for our football team.”

Process could go on all season

As for how long is he willing to take the process … it could be all year. Harbaugh said it was “absolutely a possibility” that both quarterbacks could alternate all season.

“You just don’t know,” he said. “One of the biggest factors will be … if it’s exactly as it is right now, today, just coming out of practice and just continues to be like that in the games, that will be up to us as coaches to be able to utilize both players. What they bring to our football team for the best of the football team. 

“That’s where it stands today.”

But it could change after week two or three. It will be up to them to make the decision. No matter what, Harbaugh knows he has two good options.

For that, he feels blessed.