J.J. McCarthy on national title: 'We're shooting for it. We're going to go get it."
Michigan football is not sitting on its Big Ten Championship game victory as a major accomplishment. It is another goal accomplished, but the march to a national championship continues after an announced matchup with TCU on the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Dec. 31.
Win that game, and the Wolverines will get another shot at a narrative-defining victory over either hated rival Ohio State or a Georgia team that knocked Michigan out of the playoff last year.
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Sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy was a bit player on last year’s team. Now, he is the starter and leading the charge for the Wolverines. He is happy with a Big Ten title, but he knows there is so much more to go after.
“It was one of the goals that we checked off,” McCarthy said on Sunday. “So it was obviously great. But at the end of the day, we still have one more goal to check off. And we’re focused on that, and obviously getting another chance. So hopefully, another opportunity to play Georgia will be amazing, because we’ve been champing at the bit to get that all year.”
Coming into the day, Michigan was staring down the possibility of playing a rematch of The Game against Ohio State. McCarthy admits he wanted another shot right away, but he may have to wait until Jan. 9 if it is going to happen. Either way, Michigan gets a shot.
“Hopefully we see them in the big game,” McCarthy said. “Honestly, it’s the best of both worlds, honestly. So no matter who it is, we’re gonna be ready for it.”
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Michigan preparing for ‘ultimate goal’
Last season, Michigan’s win over Ohio State and Big Ten title was euphoria. This year, it is business. There was an aspect of the Wolverines that seemed happy to just be in the playoff last year. McCarthy wants it all this season.
“We really weren’t shooting for that national championship last year,” he admitted. “It was kind of like beat Ohio State, win a Big Ten championship. But this year, we’re shooting for it. We’re gonna go get it.”
Michigan is 25-2 over its last 27 games, but has still found a way to manufacture a chip on their shoulder like the world is against them. McCarthy says it is because their goals are still ahead of them.
“Everyone kind of always doubts us and everyone kind of takes us as the underdog,” he said. “So just having that chip on our shoulder, it’s been a great use of fuel for us all year. And I feel like that 13-0 is just an illusion to us because at the end of the day 13-0, doesn’t matter unless we win it all.”
Michigan and TCU will kick off at 4 p.m. ET on Dec. 31 from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
